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THB  0U>  MAN  MARCHED  DOWN   THE  STREET  WITH  SUCH  A  SWAGGER  AS  HE  EVI- 
DENTLY BEU6VED  BEFITTING  A  SOLDIER. 

Corporal  'Lige'9  Recruity  p.  t7. 


CORPORAL  'LICE'S  RECRUIT. 

A  Story  of  Crown  Point  and 
Ticonderoga. 

By  JAMES  OTIS. 


With  Six  Paee  Illustrations  by  J.  Watson  Davis. 


NEW  yoek: 


A.  L.  BURT,  PUBLISHER, 

JOHIH  S.  PRELL 

Civil  &  Mechanical  Engineer, 

SAN  FRAK  CISCO,  CAL. 


IDUCATIOjr  LIBH, 


CoPTRiOHT,  1898,  BY  A.  L.  Burt. 


CORPORAL    'LIGE'S    RECRUIT. 
Bt  James  Otis. 


qsc 

^^'/<f 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I.  PAan 

Recruiting 1 

CHAPTER  II. 
A  Secluded  Camp 29 

CHAPTER  III. 
An  Unpleasant  Surprise 45 

CHAPTER  IV. 
The  Letter 64 

CHAPTER  V. 
Natliau  Beman 88 

CHAPTER  VI. 
A  Squad  of  Four , 112 

CHAPTER  VII. 
Ticonderoga 141 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
An  Interruption 169 

CHAPTER  IX. 
A  Bold  Stroke 204 

CHAPTER  X. 
Crown  Point 229 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGE 

The  old  man  marched  down  the  street  with  such  a  swagger 
as  he  evidently  believed  befitting  a  soldier 27 

"Is  it  all  right,  Corporal?"  Isaac  asked  timidly 67 

" Silence  in  the  ranks!"   the  Colonel  said  sternly 104 

"But  the  Corporal  wouldn't  lie,"  Isaac  said  solemnly 114 

Before  he  could  speak.  Colonel  Allen  cried:  "I  order  you 
instantly  to  surrender,  in  the  name  of  the  Great  Jehovah 
and  the  Continental  Congress.". . .  o o 168 

"So  the  Fort  has  been  taken  by  our  People,"  Captain  Baker 
cried,  clasping  the  messenger  by  the  hand 238 


CORPORAL  'LICE'S  RECRUIT. 


CHAPTER  I. 

KECEUITING. 

There  was  great  excitement  among  the 
citizens  of  the  town  of  Pittsfield  in  the 
province  of  Massachusetts  on  the  first  day  of 
May  in  the  year  1775. 

Master  Edward  Mott  and  Noah  Phelps, 
forming  a  committee  appointed  by  the  Pro- 
vincial Assembly  of  Connecticut,  had  arrived 
on  the  previous  evening  charged  with  an 
important  commission,  the  making  known  of 
which  had  so  aroused  the  inhabitants  of  the 
peaceful  settlement  that  it  was  as  if  the 
reports  of  the  muskets  fired  at  Lexington  and 
Concord  were  actually  ringing  in  their  ears. 

These   two   gentlemen  had  with  them  a 


^  CORPORAL  'LIGtJ'S  RECRtJlf . 

following  of  sixteen  men,  equipped  as  if  for 
battle,  and  the  arrival  of  so  large  an  armed 
body  had  aroused  the  curiosity  of  the  good 
people  until  all  were  painfully  eager  to  learn 
the  reason  for  what  seemed  little  less  than 
an  invasiouo 

When  it  was  whispered  around  that  Master 
Mott  and  Phelps  had,  immediately  upon  their 
arrival,  inquired  for  Colonel  James  Easton 
and  Master  John  Brown,  and  were  even  then 
closeted  with  those  citizens,  the  more  know- 
ing ones  predicted  that  this  coming  had  much 
to  do  with  the  warlike  preparations  that 
were  making  in  Boston  and  New  York, 
designed  to  put  a  check  upon  the  unlawful 
doings  of  his  majesty  the  king. 

When  morning  came,  that  is  to  say,  on  this 
first  day  of  May,  it  was  generally  understood 
throughout  the  settlement  that  the  Provincial 
Assembly  of  Connecticut  had  agreed  upon  a 


COKPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUI'T.  3 

plan  to  seize  the  munitions  of  war  at  Ticon- 
deroga  for  the  use  of  that  body  of  men 
known  as  the  American  army,  then  gathered 
at  Cambridge  and  Roxbury  in  the  province  of 
Massachusetts, 

The  gossips  of  Pittsfield  stated  that  one 
thousand  dollars  had  been  advanced  from 
the  Provincial  Treasury  of  Connecticut  to 
pay  the  expenses  of  the  expedition;  that  the 
sixteen  men  making  up  the  following  of  the 
committee  were  recruits  who  had  pledged 
themselves  to  capture  this  important  fortress 
which  formed  the  key  of  communication 
between  New  York  and  the  Canadas,  and 
that  they  proposed  to  march  through  the 
country  to  Shoreham,  opposite  Ticonderoga, 
recruiting  as  they  went,  with  the  belief  that 
on  arriving  there  their  force  would  be  suffi- 
ciently large  to  capture  the  fort. 

The  boys  as  well  as  the  men  were  highly 


4  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

excited,  as  was  but  natural,  by  such  rumors, 
and  a  certain  Isaac  Rice,  who  prided  himself 
upon  being  fourteen  years  old,  instead  of 
gathering  with  his  companions,  listening 
eagerly  to  every  word  which  dropped  from 
the  lips  of  the  older  members  of  the  com- 
munity, conceived  the  idea  of  applying  to 
what  he  believed  to  be  the  fountain-head  of 
all  information  regarding  military  matters. 

This  supposedly  wise  man  was  none  other 
than  Corporal  Elijah  Watkins,  generally 
known  as  ''Corporal  'Lige,"  sometimes 
spoken  of  as  **Master  Watkins;"  but  always 
to  Isaac  Rice,  "the  corporal." 

He  was  looked  upon  as  an  old  man  when 
he  served  under  Abercrombie  at  Ticonderoga 
in  '58,  and  believed  of  a  surety  he  was  as 
well  informed  in  military  affairs  as  Isaac 
Rice,  his  ardent  disciple,  fancied  him  to 
be. 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  ^ 

Ever  ready  to  give  advice  on  important 
matters;  not  backward  about  criticising  the 
alleged  mistakes  of  his  superiors,  and  hold- 
ing himself  as  with  the  idea  that  during  the 
late  troubles  with  the  French  he  had  learned 
all  the  art  of  warfare;  but  yet  with  such 
possibly  disagreeable  qualities,  Corporal 
'Lige  had  shown  himself  to  be  a  brave  soldier, 
willing  at  any  time  to  do  more  even  than  was 
his  duty. 

The  old  man  was  sitting  outside  the  door 
of  a  tiny  log  building  which  he  called  home, 
smoking  peacefully,  much  as  he  might  have 
done  had  the  committee  from  Connecticut 
never  passed  that  way,  and  this  apparent 
indifference  surprised  the  boy. 

*'Why,  corporal,  don't  you  know  what's 
going  on  in  the  town?  Haven't  you  heard 
that  they  are  talking  of  taking  the  fort  at 
Ticonderoga,  and  running  the  king  out  of  the 
country?" 


6  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

*Tirst  and  foremost,  Isaac  lad,  are  you  so 
ignorant  as  to  think  the  king  is  here  in  this 
'ere  province  to  be  run  out?  An'  then  agin, 
can't  you  realize  that  talkin's  one  thing  an' 
doin's  another?" 

**Yes;  but,  corporal,  haven't  you  heard  the 
news?" 

**If  you  mean  so  far  as  concerns  the  com- 
mittee from  Connecticut,  Isaac,  I  have  heard 
it,  aijd  what's  more.  Master  Noah  Phelps 
talked  with  me  before  ever  he  went  to  see 
Colonel  Easton.  He  knew  where  he  could 
get  information  about  Ticonderoga,  for  bless 
your  soul,  lad,  wasn't  I  there  in  '58?  An' 
would  you  find  a  stick  or  stone  around  the 
place  that  I  can't  call  to  mind?" 

**Did  Master  Phelps  come  to  see  you  first?" 

**Well,  yes,  lad,  it  'mounted  to  much  the 
same  thing.  I  was  down  the  road  when  he 
Cpme  into  town,  an'  seein'  me  be  act^d  like 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  7 

as  if  a  great  load  had  been  lifted  off  his  shoul- 
ders, 'cause  he  knowed  I  could  tell  him  a 
thing  or  two  if  I  was  minded.  *Good-evenin' 
to  you,  Corporal  'Lige,'  he  said  sweet  as 
honey  in  the  honeycomb,  and  I  passed  the 
time  of  day  with  him,  kind  of  suspicionin' 
something  of  this  same  business  was  goin' 
on.  *Want  to  take  a  little  trip  up  through 
the  country?'  he  asked  friendly-like,  and  do 
you  know,  lad,  the  whole  plan  come  to  me  in 
a  minute,  an'  I  says  to  him,  says  I,  *  Master 
Phelps,  you  can  count  me  in,  if  it  so  be  yo're 
goin'  toward  the  lakes.'  *  That's  where 
we're  bound  for.  Corporal  'Lige,'  says  he, 
*and  I'll  put  your  name  down.'  I  said,  says 
I,  *It's  rations,  an'  somethin'  in  the  way  of 
pay,  I  reckon?'  an'  he  allowed  as  that  part  of 
it  would  be  all  fixed,  especially  with  me, 
'cause  you  see,  lad,  it  wouldn't  be  much 
good  for  these  people  what  never  knew  any- 


8  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

thing  'bout  war,  to  start  out  leavin'  me 
behind.  Why,  bless  your  heart,  I  allow  that's 
why  they  come  through  Pittsfield,  jest  for 
the  purpose  of  seein'  Corporal  'Lige." 

The  old  man  ceased  speaking  to  puff  dense 
volumes  of  smoke  from  his  pipe,  and  Isaac 
Rice  gazed  at  him  in  wonder  and  amaze. 

That  the  committee  from  Connecticut  had 
visited  the  town  for  the  sole  and  only  reason 
of  inducing  the  corporal  to  join  the  force, 
there  was  no  question  in  his  mind,  and  now, 
more  implicitly  than  ever  before,  did  he 
believe  that  throughout  all  the  provinces 
there  could  be  found  no  abler  soldier  than 
Corporal  'Lige. 

**Yes,  lad,  I'm  goin'  with  the  committee, 
more  to  tell  'em  what  they  ought  to  do,  as 
you  might  say,  than  to  serve  as  a  private 
soldier,  for  you  see  I  know  Ticonderoga  root 
and  branch.    I  could  tell  you  the  whole  story 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRTJIT.  9 

from  the  meanin'  of  the  name  down  to  who 
is  in  command  of  it  this  very  minute,  if  there 
was  time." 

**But  there  is,  corporal.  The  committee 
are  talkin'  to  Colonel  Easton  and  Master 
Brown  now,  and  don't  count  on  leaving  here 
before  to-morrow." 

**What  do  they  want  of  the  colonel?" 

**I  don't  know;  but  they  are  stopping  at 
his  house." 

**I  ain't  sayin'  but  that  the  colonel  is  as 
good  a  soldier  as  you'll  find  around  here;  but 
bless  your  soul,  lad,  though  it  ain'  t  for  me 
to  say  it,  he  could  learn  considerable  from 
Corporal  'Lige  if  he  waste  spend  a  few  hours 
every  now  and  then  listenin'." 

**But  tell  me  all  you  can  about  Ticon- 
deroga,  corporal." 

The  old  man  looked  around  furtively  as  if 
half- expecting  the  committee  from  Connect!- 


10  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

cut,  or  Colonel  Easton,  might  be  coming  to 
ask  his  advice  on  some  disputed  point,  and 
then,  shaking  his  forefinger  now  and  again  at 
the  lad  much  as  though  to  prevent  contra- 
diction, he  began: 

**In  the  first  place  the  folks  'round  here  call 
it  *Ticonderoga'  when  it  ain't  anything  of  the 
kind.  The  real  name  is  *Cheonderoga,' which 
is  Iroquois  lingo  for  *  Sounding  Water,'  being 
caljed  so,  I  allow,  because  the  falls  at  Lake 
George  make  a  deal  of  noise.  The  French 
built  breastworks  there  in  '55,  which  they 
christened  Fort  Carillon.  Now  you  see  it's  a 
mighty  strong  place  owin'  to  the  situation, 
and  its  bein'  located  on  a  point  which,  so  I've 
heard  said,  rises  more'n  a  hundred  feet  above 
the  level  of  the  water.  The  solid  part  6f  it — 
that  is  to  say,  the  land — is  only  about  five 
hundred  acres.  Three  sides  are  surrounded 
by  water,  an'  in  the  rear  is  a  swamp.    That 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  H 

much  for  the  advantages  of  the  spot,  so  to 
speak.  Now  I  was  there  in  July  of  '58  when 
Montcalm  held  the  fort  with  four  thousand 
men.  Lord  Howe  was  second  in  command  of 
General  Abercrombie's  forces,  and  Major 
Putnam,  down  here,  was  with  the  crowd. 
That's  when  the  major  wouldn't  let  his  lord- 
ship go  into  the  battle  first ;  but  banged  right 
along  ahead  until  we  come  to  the  first  breast- 
works, finding  it  so  strong  that  the  troops 
were  marched  back  to  the  landin'  place  and 
went  into  bivouac  for  the  night.  It  was  the 
sixth  day  of  July ;  on  the  eighth  we  tried  it 
again;  but  the  fort  couldn't  be  carried,  an' 
the  blood  that  was  shed  there,  lad,  all  under 
the  British  flag,  would  come  pretty  nigh 
drownin'  every  man,  woman  an'  child  in  this 
'ere  settlement.  On  the  twenty -sixth  of 
July  in  the  year  1759,  General  Amherst  with 
eleven  thousand  mQU.  scared  the  French  out; 


12  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

they  didn't  fire  a  gun,  but  abandoned  the 
fortification  and  fled  to  Crown  Point.  Since 
that  time  the  king's  forces  have  held  it." 

**How  many  are  there  now?"  Isaac  asked, 
not  so  much  for  the  purpose  of  gaining  infor- 
mation as  to  tempt  the  old  man  to  continue 
his  story. 

"I  can't  rightly  say,  lad,  though  it's  some- 
where in  the  neighborhood  of  fifty.  The 
commandant  is,  or  was  when  I  last  heard, 
one  Captain  Delaplace,  and  it  is  said  that 
he's  a  thorough  soldier,  though  I'm  allowin' 
he  hasn't  got  any  too  much  of  a  force  with 
him." 

**Do  you  think  the  Connecticut  gentlemen 
can  raise  men  enough  between  here  and  there 
to  take  a  fort  which  resisted  General  Aber- 
crombie's  entire  army?" 

**That  remains  to  be  seen,  lad.  If  they  are 
willin'  to  act  on  such  advice  as  can  be  got 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  13 

from  some  people  hereabouts,  I  allow  there's 
a  good  chance  for  it,  more  especially  if  the 
Green  Mountain  boys  take  a  hand  in  the 
matter,  as  Master  Phelps  thinks  probable.  In 
that  case  Colonel  Ethan  Allen  would  most 
likely  be  in  command." 

**And  you  are  really  going,  corporal?" 
asked  Isaac. 

**Yes,  lad,  it  don't  seem  as  though  I  ought 
to  hang  back  back  when  I'm  needed.  If  all 
we  hear  from  the  other  provinces  is  true, 
you'll  be  old  enough  to  take  a  hand  in  the 
scrimmage  before  the  fightin's  over,  so  here's 
a  chance  to  serve  an  apprenticeship.  If  it  so 
be  you're  of  the  mind  I'll  take  you  under  my 
wing,  an'  by  the  time  we  get  back  you'll 
have  a  pretty  decently  good  idea  of  a  sol- 
dier's trade." 

**Do  you  really  mean  it,  corporal?"  and 
Isaac  sprang  to  his  feet  in  excitement,     *'Do 


14  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

you  really  mean  that  I  may  go  with  you  just 
as  if  I  was  of  age  to  carry  a  gun?" 

**Ay,  lad,  if  it  so  be  your  mother  an'  father 
are  willin',  an'  I  can't  see  why  they  shouldn't 
agree,  seein's  how  they  know  the  company 
you'll  be  in.  It  would  seem  different  if  you 
talked  of  goin'  with  the  general  run  of  re- 
cruits/who  are  green  hands  at  this  kind  of 
work." 

**.But  will  the  committee  allow  a  lad  of  my 
age  to  go  as  a  soldier?" 

"Isaac,  my  boy,  when  Corporal  'Lige  says 
to  Master  Phelps,  says  he,  *This  'ere  lad  is 
goin'  under  my  wing,  so  to  speak,'  why  J)less 
your  heart,  that's  the  end  of  the  whole  busi- 
ness. They've  got  to  have  me,  an'  won't 
stand  out  about  your  joinin'  when  it's  known 
my  heart  is  set  on  it." 

**Will  you  come  now  while  I  ask  my 
mother?" 


\ 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  15 

**Well,  lad,  I  ain't  prepared  to  say  as  how  I 
will;  but  this  much  I'm  promisin':  Go  to 
her  an'  find  out  how  she's  feelin'  about  the 
matter.  If  there's  any  waverin'  in  her  mind 
I'll  step  in— you  see  I'll  be  the  reserves  in 
this  case — an'  when  I  charge  she's  bound  to 
surrender.  But  if  it  so  happens  that  she's 
dead  set  against  it  at  the  start,  why,  you  had 
best  not  vex  her  by  tryin'  to  push  the 
matter." 

Having  perfect  faith  in  the  corporal's  wis- 
dom Isaac  was  thoroughly  satisfied  with 
this  decision,  and  after  the  old  man  had 
promised  to  await  his  return  at  that  point, 
the  lad  set  out  for  home  at  full  speed. 

Perhaps  if  Isaac  had  been  the  only  son  of 
his  mother  he  would  have  found  it  difficult  to 
gain  her  permission  for  such  an  adventure  as 
Corporal  'Lige  had  proposed. 

There  were  five  other  boys  in  the  family, 


16  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

and  Isaac  was  neither  the  oldest  nor  the 
youngest. 

The  fact  that  Mrs.  Kice  had  so  many  did 
not  cause  her  to  be  unmindful  of  any,  but 
less  timorous  perhaps,  about  parting  with 
one. 

However  it  may  be,  the  lad  gained  the 
desired  permission  providing  his  father  would 
assent,  and  this  last  was  little  more  than  a 
formality. 

Master  Eice  was  found  among  the  throng  of 
citizens  in  front  of  the  inn  where  recruiting 
was  going  on  briskly. 

The  opportunity  served  to  give  the  good 
man  a  certain  semblance  of  patriotism  when 
he  showed  himself  willing  that  one  of  his 
sons  should  go  for  a  soldier,  and  he  would 
have  had  the  boy  sign  the  rolls  then  and 
there,  but  that  Isaac  demurred. 

It  was  not  in  his  mind  to  enlist  save  in  the 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  17 

company  and  after  being  again  assured  of  the 
corporal's  protection,  therefore  he  insisted 
on  presenting  himself  as  the  old  man's  recruit 
rather  than  his  father's  offering. 

Corporal  'Lige  was  well  pleased  when 
Isaac  returned  with  a  detailed  account  of  all 
that  had  taken  place,  and  said  approvingly: 

**You  have  shown  yourself  to  be  a  lad  of 
rare  discretion,  Isaac  Rice,  and  I  will  take  it 
upon  myself  to  see  that  such  forethought 
brings  due  reward.  Suppose  you  had  signed 
the  rolls  at  the  inn?  What  would  you  be 
then?    Nothin'  more  than  a  private." 

**But  that  is  all  I  shall  be  when  I  sign  them 
with  you,  corporal." 

**It  may  appear  that  way,  I'm  free  to  admit 
lad ;  but  still  you  will  be  a  deal  higher  than 
any  non-commissioned  officer,  because  you'll 
be  under  my  wing,  and  when  we  have  taken 
Ticonderoga,  though  I  ain't  admitting  that's 


18  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

the  proper  name  of  the  fort — when  we've 
taken  that,  I  say,  you'll  be  fit  for  any  kind  of 
a  commission  that  you're  qualified  to  hold." 

**Yes,"  Isaac  replied  doubtfully,  and  then 
he  fell  to  speculating  as  to  whether  even 
though  Corporal  'Lige  did  not  **take  him 
under  his  wing,"  he  might  not  be  fit  to  fill 
any  position  for  which  **he  was  qualified." 

While  he  was  thus  musing  a  messenger 
came  from  Master  Phelps  saying  the  recruit- 
ing was  coming  to  an  end  in  this  town,  and 
the  party  would  set  out  that  same  afternoon 
on  their  way  to  Bennington,  expecting  to 
enlist  volunteers  from  Colonel  Easton's  regi- 
ment of  militia  as  they  passed  through  the 
country, 

** Never  you  fear  but  that  I'll  be  right  at 
my  post  of  duty  when  the  command  is  given 
to  form  ranks,"  Corporal  'Lige  said  to  the 
messenger,  and  after  the  latter  had  departed 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  19 

he  added  as  he  turned  to  the  boy,  **Now, 
Isaac,  lad,  you  can  see  what  they  think  of 
Corporal  'Lige.  Colonel  Easton  and  Master 
Brown  are  hangin'  'round  the  inn  instead  of 
waitin'  for  the  committee  to  visit  them.  An* 
what  do  I  do?  Why,  I  stay  quietly  here, 
knowin'  they  can't  well  get  along  without 
me,  an'  instead  of  coolin'  my  heels  among  a 
lot  of  raw  recr,uits,  I'm  sent  for  when  the 
time  is  come,  as  if  I  was  a  staff  officer. 
That's  one  thing  you  want  to  bear  in  mind. 
If  you  don't  count  yourself  of  any  impor- 
tance, other  people  are  mighty  apt  to  pass 
you  by  as  a  ne'er-do-well." 
**But  I  haven't  enlisted  yet,  corporal." 
**  Of  course  you  have.  When  you  said  to 
me  *I'm  ready  to  go  as  your  apprentice  in  this 
'ere  business,'  it  was  jest  the  same  as  if  you'd 
signed  the  rolls.  I'll  arrange  all  that  matter 
with  Master  Phelps,  my  lad.    Now  do  you 


20  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

hasten  home;  get  what  you  can  pick  up  in 
the  way  of  an  outfit;  borrow  your  father's 
gun,  and  kind  of  mention  the  fact  to  your 
mother  that  the  more  she  gives  in  the  way  of 
provisions  the  better  you'll  be  fed,  for  you 
an'  me  are  likely  to  mess  together." 

**How  much  are  you  going  to  take,  cor- 
poral?" 

*'That  will  depend  a  good  deal  on  what 
kind.of  a  supply  your  mother  furnishes.  I'm 
willin'  to  admit  she's  nigh  on  to  as  good  a 
cook  as  can  be  found  in  Pittsfield,  an'  will 
take  my  chances  on  what  she  puts  up  for 
you,  providin'  there's  enough  of  it." 

**0f  course  you  are  to  take  your  musket?" 

**I  should  be  a  pretty  poor  kind  of  a  soldier 
if  I  didn't,  lad — the  same  one  I  used  under 
Abercrombie,"  and  he  pointed  with  his 
thumb  toward  the  interior  of  the  dwelling 
where,  as  Isaac  knew,  a  well-worn  weapon 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  21 

hung  on  hooks  just  over  the  fireplace.  **It's 
one  of  the  king's  arms,  an'  I  reckon  will  do 
as  good  service  against  him  as  it  did  for  him, 
which  is  saying  considerable,  lad,  as  Major 
Putnam  can  vouch  for.  Now  set  about 
making  ready,  for  we  two  above  all  others 
must  not  be  behind-hand  when  the  column 


moves." 


A  fine  thing  it  was  to  be  a  soldier,  so  Isaac 
thought  as  he  went  leisurely  from  Corporal 
'Lige's  log  hut  to  his  home;  he  was  forced  to 
pass  through  the  entire  length  of  the  village, 
stopping  here  and  there  to  acquaint  a  friend 
with  what  he  believed  to  be  a  most  important 
fact. 

Among  all  the  lads  in  Pittsfield  of  about 
his  own  age  he  was  the  only  one  who  pro- 
posed to  enlist,  and  from  all  he  heard  and 
saw  there  could  be  no  question  but  that  he 
was  envied  by  his  companions. 


22  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

From  the  youngest  boy  to  the  oldest  man, 
the  citizens  were  in  such  a  ferment  of  excite- 
ment as  gave  recruits  the  idea  that  to  enlist 
was  simply  providing  amusement  for  them- 
selves during  a  certain  number  of  days,  and, 
with  the  exception  of  those  experienced  in 
such  matters,  no  person  believed  for  a 
moment  that  the  brave  ones  who  were  rally- 
ing at  their  country's  call  would  suflPer  hard- 
ships or  privations. 

In  fact,  this  going  forth  to  capture  the  fcrt 
at  Ticonderoga  was  to  be  a  pleasure  excur- 
sion rather  than  anything  else,  and  Isaac  Kice 
believed  he  was  the  most  fortunate  lad  in  the 
province  of  Massachusetts. 

His  outfit  did  not  require  that  his  mother 
should  spend  very  much  time  upon  it. 

The  clothes  he  wore  comprised  the  only 
suit  he  owned,  and  when  two  shirts  and  three 
pairs  of  stockings  had  b^en  made  into  a  par- 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  23 

eel  of  the  smallest  possible  size,  and  he  had 
borrowed  his  father's  gun,  powder  horn  and 
shot  pouch,  the  equipment  was  complete. 

Then  came  the  most  important  of  the 
preparations,  to  Isaac's  mind,  for  he  knew 
the  corporal  would  criticize  it  closely — the 
store  of  provisions. 

Had  he  been  allowed  his  own  bent  the 
remainder  of  the  Rice  family  might  have 
been  put  on  short  allowance,  for,  with  a  view 
to  pleasing  the  corporal,  he  urged  that  this 
article  of  food,  and  then  that,  should  be  put 
into  the  bag  which  served  him  as  a  haver- 
sack, until  the  larder  must  have  been  com- 
letely  emptied  but  for  his  mother's  emphatic 
refusal  to  follow  such  suggestions. 

If  Mrs.  Rice  did  not  shed  bitter  tears  over 
Isaac  when  he  left  her  to  join  the  recruits,  it 
was  because  she  shared  the  opinion  of  many 
others  in  Pitt^field,  and  felt  positive  the  lad 


24  CORPORAL  'LIGE'8  RECRUIT. 

would  soon  return,  none  the  worse  for  his 
short  time  of  soldiering. 

It  was  but  natural  she  should  take  a  most 
affectionate  farewell  of  him,  however,  even 
though  believing  he  would  be  in  no  especial 
danger,  and  a  glimpse  of  the  tears  which  his 
mother  could  not  restrain  caused  an  uncom- 
fortable swelling  in  the  would-be  soldiers' 
throat. 

This  leaving  home,  even  to  march  away  by 
the  side  of  Corporal  'Lige,  was  not  as  pleasant 
as  he  had  supposed,  and  for  the  moment  he 
ceased  to  so  much  as  think  of  the  provision- 
bag. 

**Now,  see  here,  mother,"  he  said,  with  a 
brave  attempt  at  indifference.  *'Vm  not 
counting  on  doing  anything  more  than  help 
take  the  fort,  and  since  the  corporal  is  to  be 
with  us,  that  can't  be  a  long  task," 

**You  will  ever  be  a  good  boy,  Isaac?" 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  25 

"Of  course,  mother." 

"And  you  will  write  me  a  letter,  if  it  so  be 
you  find  the  opportunity?" 

This  was  not  a  pleasing  prospect  to  the 
boy,  for  he  had  never  found  it  an  easy  task 
to  make  a  fair  copy  of  the  single  line  set 
down  at  the  top  of  his  writing-book;  but  his 
heart  was  sore  for  the  moment,  and  he  would 
have  promised  even  more  in  order  to  check 
his  mother's  tears. 

Therefore  it  was  he  agreed  to  make  her 
acquainted  with  all  his  movements,  so  far  as 
should  be  possible,  and,  that  done,  it  seemed 
as  if  the  sting  was  taken  in  a  great  measure 
from  the  parting. 

Feeling  more  like  a  man  than  ever  before 
in  his  life,  Isaac  set  forth  from  his  home 
with  a  heavy  musket  over  his  shoulder,  and 
the  bag  of  provisions  hanging  at  his  back, 
glancing  neither  to  the  right  nor  to  the  left 


26  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

until  he  arrived  at  the  corporaFs  dwel- 
ling. 

An  exclamation  of  surprise  and  delight 
burst  from  his  lips  when  he  saw  the  old  man, 
armed  and  equipped  as  he  had  been  in  '58, 
wearing  the  uniform  of  a  British  soldier,  even 
though  by  thus  setting  out  he  was  proving 
his  disloyalty  to  the  king. 

* 'Well  you  do  look  fine,  corporal.  I  dare 
wager  there  are  none  who  will  set  forth  from 
this  town  as  much  a  soldier  as  you!" 

**I  reckon  Colonel  Easton  will  come  out 
great  with  his  militia  uniform ;  but  what  does 
it  amount  to  except  for  the  value  of  the  gold 
lace  that's  on  it?  All  I'm  wearin'  has  seen 
service,  an'  though  it  ain't  for  me  to  say  it, 
I  shouldn't  be  suprised  if  him  as  is  inside 
this  'ere  red  coat  could  tell  the  militia  col- 
onel much  regarding  his  duty." 

**0f  course  you  can,  corporal,  every  one 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  27 

knows  that,  an'  I'm  expecting  to  see  you  put 
next  in  command  to  Colonel  Allen,  if  it  so  be 
he  goes." 

**Not  quite  that,  lad,  not  quite  that,  for 
there's  jealousy  in  the  ranks  the  same  as  out- 
side of  them,  though  I  warrant  many  of  'em 
will  be  glad  to  ask  Corporal  'Lige's  advice 
before  this  'ere  business  is  over.  Now  let's 
have  a  look  to  your  stores,  and  we'll  be 
off." 

The  examination  of  the  impromptu  haver- 
sack appeared  to  be  satisfactory  to  the  old 
man,  and  without  doing  more  in  the  way  of 
securing  his  dwelling  from  intruders  than 
shutting  the  outer  door,  he  marched  down 
the  street  with  such  a  swagger  as  he  evi- 
dently believed  befitting  a  soldier. 

Isaac  followed  meekly  at  his  heels,  troub- 
ling his  head  not  one  whit  because  he  lacked 
a  uniform,  but  believing  he  shared  to  a  CQr- 


28  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

tain  degree  in  Corporal  'Lige's  gorgeousness 
and  martial  bearing. 

The  two  came  to  a  halt  outside  the  inn, 
standing  stiffly  at  ** attention,"  and  there 
they  remained  until  Master  Phelps  was 
forced  to  go  out  and  bid  the  old  man  enter, 
that  the  formality  of  signing  the  rolls  might 
be  gone  through  with,  after  which  Isaac  Rice 
was  duly  entitled  to  call  himself  a  militia- 
man. 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  29 


CHAPTEE  II. 

A  SECLUDED   CAMP. 

When  these  raw  recruits  departed  from 
the  town — Corporal  'Lige  insisted  that  they 
did  not  march — they  were  followed  for  several 
miles  by  nearly  all  the  men  and  boys  in  the 
vicinity. 

The  old  man  was  greatly  exercised  because 
Colonel  Easton,  who  now  assumed  command, 
allowed  such  an  unsoldierly  proceeding  as 
that  his  troops  should  walk  arm  in  arm  with 
their  friends,  each  in  his  own  manner  and  at 
his  own  convenience. 

Had  the  corporal  been  invested  with  the 
proper  authority  he  would  have  had  these 
raw  recruits  marshaled  into  ranks  and  forced 


JJO  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

to  step  in  unison,  carrying  their  muskets  at 
the  same  angle,  and  otherwise  conforming 
themselves  to  his  idea  of  soldierly  bearing — 
all  this  he  would  have  had  them  do;  but 
whether  he  could  have  brought  about  such 
a  condition  of  affairs  is  extremely  problem- 
atical. 

**I  allowed  Colonel  James  Easton  came 
somewhere  near  bein'  a  soldier,  even  though 
he  is  only  a  militiaman,"  the  corporal  said  in 
a  tone  of  intense  dissatisfaction  to  Isaac  as 
the  two  marched  solemnly  side  by  side  in  the 
midst  of  their  disorderly  companions,  **and  I 
did  think  we  could  set  out  from  here  and 
capture  Ticonderoga,  if  all  hands  were  willin' 
to  put  their  shoulders  to  the  wheel;  but  I 
take  back  that  statement,  lad,  and  am  sorry 
I  ever  was  so  foolish  as  to  enlist.  I  ought  to 
have  known  better  when  I  saw  the  crowd 
that  was  signin'  the  rolls." 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  31 

'*Why,  what's  the  matter,  corporal?"  and 
Isaac  looked  around  in  surprise,  for  until  this 
moment  he  had  believed  everything  was 
progressing  in  proper  military  fashion. 

*' Matter?"  Corporal  'Lige  cried  angrily. 
**Look  around  and  see  how  these  men  are 
comportin'  themselves,  an'  then  you'll  know. 
Here  are  them  as  should  be  soldiers,  seein's 
they've  signed  the  rolls,  mixed  up  with 
citizens  till  you  couldn't  tell  one  from  the 
other  unless  personally  acquainted  with  all 
hands.  Then  how  are  they  marchin'?  Why, 
a  flock  of  geese  couldn't  straggle  along  in  any 
more  ungainly  fashion." 

**I  shouldn't  suppose  it  would  make  any 
difference  how  they  marched  so  that  they  got 
there  in  time,"  Isaac  ventured  to  suggest 
timidly. 

**  Shouldn't,  eh?  Then  what's  the  good  of 
calling    themselves     soldiers?      Why    don't 


32  CORPOBAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

they  start  out  like  a  crowd  of  farmers  an'  try 
their  hand  at  taking  the  fort?'* 

**Well?"  Isaac  replied  calmly.  ''Why 
shouldn't  they?  They  are  not  soldiers,  you 
know,  corporal,  and  so  long's  the  fort  is  taken 
why  wouldn't  it  be  as  well  if  they  didn't  try 
to  ape  military  manners?" 

The  old  man  gazed  sternly  at  the  boy  while 
one  might  have  counted  ten,  and  then  said  in 
a  tone  of  sadness: 

"It's  a  shame,  Isaac  Rice,  that  after  bein' 
with  me  all  these  years,  an'  hearin'  more  or 
less  regardin'  military  matters,  you  shouldn't 
have  more  sense." 

**Why,  what  have  I  said  now,  corporal?  Is 
it  any  harm  to  think  that  farmers  might  take 
a  fort?" 

**0f  course  it  is,  lad.  If  anything  of  that 
kind  could  happen,  what's  the  use  of  having 
soldiers?" 


CORPORAL  'LICE'S  RECRUIT.  33 

**But  I  suppose  it  is  necessary  to  have  an 
army  if  there's  going  to  be  war,"  Isaac 
replied  innocently,  and  this  last  was  sufficient 
to  completely  fill  the  vials  of  the  old  man's 
wrath. 

That  this  pupil  of  his  should  fail  at  the 
very  first  opportunity  to  show  a  proper  spirit, 
was  to  him  most  disappointing,  and  during 
the  half-hour  which  followed  he  refused  to 
speak,  even  though  Isaac  alternately  begged 
his  pardon  for  having  been  so  ignorant  and 
expressed  regret  that  he  had  said  anything 
which  might  give  offense. 

During  all  this  while  the  citizens  of  Pitts - 
field  were  following  the  recruits  in  a  most 
friendly  manner,  believing  it  their  duty  to 
thus  cheer  those  who  might  soon  be  amid  the 
carnage  of  battle,  and  perhaps  not  one  real- 
ized how  seriously  he  was  by  such  method 
offending  Corporal  'Lige.. 


34  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

Isaac's  father  was  among  this  well-inten- 
tioned following,  as  were  two  of  the  lad's 
brothers,  and  when  these  representatives  of 
the  Eice  family,  having  walked  as  far  as  the 
head  of  the  household  deemed  necessary, 
were  about  to  turn  back,  they  ranged  them- 
selves either  side  of  the  corporal  and  his 
pupil,  in  order  to  bid  the  latter  farewell. 

**i  expect  you  will  give  a  good  account  of 
yourself,  Isaac,  when  it  comes  to  fighting, 
and  I  feel  all  the  more  confident  in  regard  to 
it  because  you  are  under  the  wing  of  a  man 
who  knows  what  it  is  to  be  a  soldier." 

This  compliment  was  intended  for  Cor- 
poral 'Lige  as  a  matter  of  course ;  but  he  paid 
no  other  attention  to  it  than  to  say: 

**If  the  lad  had  profited  by  my  teachings, 
he'd  know  that  he  has  no  right  to  talk  with 
outsiders  while  he's  in  the  ranks." 

** That's    exactly    it,"    Mr.    Rice    replied, 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  $5 

wholly  oblivious  that  the  corporal  was  admin- 
istering what  he  believed  to  be  a  most  severe 
rebuke.  *'That  is  exactly  it,  my  son,  and 
you  will  do  well  to  remember  that  you  can- 
not fail  in  your  duty  so  long  as  you  take 
pattern  from  the  corporal." 

The  old  soldier  gave  vent  to  what  can  be 
described  only  as  a  '* snort"  of  contempt; 
and  the  boy's  sorrow  was  as  nothing  com- 
pared with  what  it  had  been  when  bidding 
good-by  to  his  mother. 

After  the  young  Rices  had  turned  their 
faces  homeward  in  obedience  to  the  orders 
of  the  elder  Rice,  Isaac  gave  more  heed  to 
copying  the  movements  of  the  corporal, 
thereby  atoning  in  a  certain  measure  for  his 
previous  injudicious  remarks. 

The  boy  firmly  believed  that  no  more  able 
soldier  could  be  found  in  all  the  colonies  than 
this  same  Corporal  'Lige,  and  had  any  person 


36  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

ventured  to  remark  that  the  expedition  might 
be  as  well  off  without  him,  Isaac  would  have 
set  the  speaker  down  as  one  lacking  common 
sense. 

Take  the  corporal  out  of  the  ranks,  and 
young  Rice  would  have  said  there  was  no 
possibility  either  Crown  Point  or  Ticonderoga 
could  be  captured. 

Thus  it  was  that  an  order  from  Colonel  Allen, 
Colonel  Easton,  or  Seth  Warner  was  as  noth- 
ing compared  with  one  from  Corporal  *Lige,  in 
the  mind  of  Isaac  Rice ;  but  there  were  many 
in  the  ranks  who  did  not  have  such  an  exalted 
opinion  of  the  old  soldier,  and  thes3  were 
free  with  their  criticisms  and  unfavorable 
remarks,  much  against  the  raw  recruit's 
peace  of  mind,  as  well  as  the  corporal's 
annoyance. 

It  was  because  of  these  light-headed  vol- 
unteers, who  saw  only  in  this  expedition  a 


COHPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  37 

novel  and  agreeable  form  of  junketing,  out  of 
which  it  was  their  duty  to  extract  all  the 
sport  possible  regardless  of  the  feelings  of 
others,  that  Corporal 'Lige  withdrew  himself, 
so  to  speak,  from  his  comrades,  and  barely 
acknowledged  the  salutes  of  any  save  his 
superior  oflScers. 

At  the  end  of  the  second  day's  journey  he 
refused  to  go  into  camp  with  them;  but 
applied  to  the  captain  of  his  company  for 
permission  to  advance  yet  a  short  distance 
further,  at  which  point  he  could  join  the 
troops  when  they  came  forward  next  morn- 
ing. It  was  known  by  all  the  expedition,  even 
including  those  who  were  making  the  old 
soldier  the  butt  of  their  mirth,  that  he  was 
held  in  high  esteem  by  Colonel  Ethan  Allen, 
and  the  request,  although  irregular,  was 
readily  granted,  after  a  warning  against  the 
perils  attendant  upon  such  a  course. 


38  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

**It  is  better  you  stay  with  the  troops,  cor- 
poral," the  captain  said  kindly,  **although  I 
have  no  hesitation  in  saying  you  are  free  to 
do  as  you  choose." 

*'And  I  do  not  choose  to  remain  in  the 
encampment  for  all  the  young  geese — who 
fancy  that  by  signing  the  rolls  they  have 
become  soldiers — to  sharpen  their  wits  upon, 
therefore  I  would  halt  by  myself,  taking  only 
the  recruit  I  claim  as  my  own,  for  com- 
pany." 

**I  will  have  a  care  that  you  are  not 
annoyed  again,"  the  officer  replied  in  a 
kindly  tone;  but  this  was  not  to  Corporal 
'Lige's  liking. 

**If  a  soldier  can  only  keep  his  self-respect 
by  running  to  his  superior  officers  like  a 
schoolboy  when  matters  are  not  to  his  fancy 
it  is  time  he  left  the  ranks.  After  we  have 
smelt  burning  powder  I  fancy  these  young- 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  39 

sters  will  keep  a  civil  tongue  in  their  heads, 
and  until  then  I  had  best  care  for  myself." 

This  was  such  good  logic  that  the  captain 
could  oppose  no  solid  argument  against  it, 
therefore  the  old  soldier  received  permission 
for  himself  and  **his  recruit"  to  form  camp 
wherever  it  should  please  him,  provided, 
however,  that  they  remained  in  the  ranks 
while  the  command  was  advancing. 

Not  until  after  the  matter  had  been  thus 
settled  did  the  captain  take  it  upon  himself 
to  warn  the  corporal  that  it  was  not  wholly 
safe  to  thus  separate  from  his  companions. 

**It  is  well  known  that  our  movements  are 
being  watched  by  both  Tories  and  Indians," 
he  said  in  a  friendly  manner,  such  as  would 
not  offend  the  obstinate  old  soldier,  **and 
you  can  well  fancy  that  they  would  not  hesi- 
tate to  do  some  mischief  to  any  of  the  expedi- 
tion whom  they  might  come  upon  alone," 


40  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

**I  can  take  care  of  myself,  and  also  the 
boy,"  Corporal  'Lige  replied  stiffly,  as  he 
saluted  his  superior  officer  with  unusual 
gravity,  and  with  this  the  subject  was 
dropped. 

Then  the  old  man  said  to  his  recruit,  as  he 
motioned  him  aside  that  others  might  not  get 
information  concerning  his  purpose : 

* '.We'll  draw  such  rations  as  may  be  served 
out,  lad,  and  then  push  ahead  to  where  we  can 
be  in  the  company  of  sensible  people,  mean- 
ing our  two  selves." 

Isaac  would  have  felt  decidedly  more  safe 
if  he  could  remain  with  the  main  body  of 
troops,  for  he  had  heard  the  captain's  cau- 
tion; but  he  did  not  think  it  wise  to  give 
such  a  desire  words,  and  by  his  silence  signi- 
fied that  he  was  ready  to  do  whatsoever  his 
instructor  should  deem  to  be  for  the  best. 

The  rations  served  these  volunteers  who 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  41 

proposed  to  reduce  the  forts  at  Ticonderoga 
and  Crown  Point  ere  they  yet  knew  a  sol- 
dier's duties  were  not  generous,  and  he  who, 
from  a  desire  to  avoid  seeming  greedy, 
delayed  in  applying  for  them,  generally 
found  himself  without  food,  save  he  might 
be  so  fortunate  as  to  beg  some  from  his  more 
provident  companions. 

Corporal  'Lige  was  exceedingly  friendly  to 
his  stomach ;  he  made  it  a  rule  never  to  allow 
modesty  to  deprive  him  of  a  full  share  of 
whatever  might  be  served  out,  therefore  it 
was  he  had  drawn  rations  for  himself  and 
Isaac  almost  before  the  troops  came  to  a  halt, 
and  the  hindermost  were  yet  marching  into 
camp,  weary  and  travel-stained,  when  he  said 
to  his  small  comrade : 

**  There  is  nothing  to  keep  us  here  longer, 
and  the  sooner  we  are  at  a  goodly  distance 
from  these  silly  youngsters  who  fancy  that 


42  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

the  taking  of  a  musket  in  their  hands 
makes  them  soldiers,  the  better  I  shall  be 
pleased.'* 

Isaac  gave  token  of  willingness  to  con- 
tinue the  march  by  shouldering  his  weapon 
once  more,  and  the  two  set  off,  attracting 
no  attention  from  their  companions-in-arms, 
each  of  whom  had  little  thought  save  to 
minister  to  his  own  comfort,  for  this  soldier- 
ing was  rapidly  becoming  more  of  a  task  and 
less  of  a  pleasure-tour  than  had  been  at  first 
supposed. 

Not  until  he  was  fully  a  mile  from  the 
foremost  of  the  main  body  did  the  corporal 
give  any  evidence  of  an  intention  to  halt,  and 
then  he  showed  remarkably  good  judgment 
in  his  selection  of  a  camping-place. 

At  the  edge  of  a  small  brook  about  fifty 
yards  from  the  main  road  over  which  they 
had  been  traveling,  he  threw  down  his  knap- 


CORPORAL  'LIQE'S  RECRUIT.  43 

sack,  and  announced  in  a  tone  of  satisfaction 
that  they  would  spend  the  night  there. 

**It  is  not  too  far  away,  and  yet  at  such  a 
distance  that  we  shall  not  be  forced  to  listen 
to  the  gabbling  of  those  geese,"  he  said  as 
he  set  about  building  a  small  campfire  in 
order  to  prepare  the  food  he  had  procured. 
*'Make  yourself  comfortable,  Isaac  Kice, 
for  it  is  a  soldier's  solemn  duty  to  gain  all 
the  rest  he  can." 

*'Do  you  think  we  shall  be  safe  here?"  the 
boy  asked  almost  timidly,  for  it  seemed 
little  short  of  a  crime  to  question  any  propo- 
sition made  by  the  corporal. 

**ISafe,  lad?  What's  to  prevent?  If  you 
keep  your  ears  open  for  stories  of  danger 
while  you  are  with  the  army,  you'll  never 
know  peace  of  mind,  for  there  are  always 
those  faint-hearted  ones  ready  to  exaggerate 
the  falling  of  a  leaf  into  the  coming  of  the 


44  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

enemy.  I  have  as  much  regard  for  my  own 
safety  as  for  yours,  and  I  say  that  here  we 
can  camp  in  peace  and  safety." 

This  was  sufficient  for  the  corporal's 
recruit,  and  he  set  about  making  himself 
comfortable,  with  the  conviction  that  none 
knew  better  than  his  comrade  the  general 
condition  of  affairs. 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  45 


CHAPTER  III. 

AN   UNPLEASANT   SURPRISE. 

Surely  this  camping  by  themselves  was 
exceedingly  pleasant,  Isaac  thought,  as  the 
old  soldier  took  upon  himself  the  duties  of 
cook,  leaving  his  recruit  with  nothing  to  do 
save  watch  him  as  he  worked. 

On  the  previous  night  they  had  slept  in  the 
midst  of  a  noisy  throng  who  chattered  and 
made  merry  until  an  exceedingly  late  hour, 
thus  preventing  the  more  weary  from  sleep- 
ing, and  everywhere  in  the  air,  hanging  like 
clouds,  was  the  dust  raised  by  the  feet  of  so 
many  men. 

Now  these  two  were  in  the  seclusion  of  the 
woods,  with  a  carpet  of  grass  for  a  bed;  the 


46  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

rippling  brook  to  lull  them  to  slumber,  and 
nothing  more  noisy  than  the  insect  life  every- 
where around  to  disturb  their  slumbers. 

Corporal  'Lige  was  in  a  rare  good  humor. 
He  prepared  an  appetizing  meal,  although 
his  materials  were  none  of  the  best,  and 
when  it  had  been  eaten,  seated  himself  by 
Isaac's  side  with  pipe  in  his  mouth,  ready 
and  willing  to  spin  yarns  of  his  previous 
experience  as  a  soldier. 

The  boy  was  an  eager  listener;  but  after  a 
certain  time  even  the  tones  of  the  old  sol- 
dier's voice  were  not  suflBcient  to  banish  the 
sleep  elves,  and  his  ej^es  closed  in  uncon- 
sciousness just  when  his  comrade  had  arrived 
at  the  most  exciting  portion  of  his  narrative. 

"Perhaps  I  shan't  be  so  willin'  the  next 
time  you  want  to  hear  what  I've  seen  in  this 
world,"  Corporal  'Lige  said  testily  when  he 
observed  that  his  audience  was  asleep,  and 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  4t 

then,  knocking  the  ashes  carefully  from  his 
pipe,  he  lay  down  by  the  side  of  his  small 
companion. 

It  seemed  to  Isaac  that  he  had  hardly  more 
than  closed  his  eyes  in  unconsciousness 
when  he  was  aroused  by  the  pressure  of 
some  heavy  substance  upon  his  hand,  and 
looking  up  quickly  he  saw,  in  the  dim  light, 
three  men  standing  over  the  corporal. 

The  foot  of  one  of  these  strangers  was 
upon  the  boy's  hand,  as  if  he  did  not  think 
Isaac  of  sufficient  importance  either  to  war- 
rant his  taking  him  prisoner,  or  to  so  much 
as  step  aside  that  he  might  be  spared  pain. 

Before  hearing  a  single  word,  Isaac  under- 
stood that  these  late-comers  were  no  friends 
of  the  corporal's,  and  he  endured  the  pain  in 
silence,  hoping  that  by  so  doing  he  might 
escape  observation. 

It  was  hardly  probable  the  strangers  failed 


48  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

to  see  him,  for  he  had  been  lying  within  a 
few  feet  of  his  companion ;  but  that  he  was 
not  the  object  of  their  regard  could  be  readily 
understood. 

The  man  who  had  thus  pinned  the  boy  to 
the  earth  by  his  heel  wore  moccasins  rather 
than  boots,  otherwise  Isaac  would  have 
received  severe  injury,  and  as  it  was,  the  cor- 
poral's recruit  suffered  considerable  pain 
before  the  foot  was  finally  removed;  but  yet 
made  no  sound. 

So  far  as  he  could  judge  by  the  conversa- 
tion, these  strangers  must  have  been  in  camp 
some  time  before  he  was  awakened,  for 
when  he  first  opened  his  eyes  they  were  in 
the  midst  of  an  unpleasant  conversation  with 
the  old  soldier,  such  as  had  evidently  been 
carried  on  for  some  moments. 

**If  he  don't  choose  to  tell,  string  him  up 
to  a  tree,"  one  of  the  party  cried  impatiently 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  49 

at  the  moment  Isaac  first  became  conscious 
that  matters  were  not  running  smoothly  in 
this  private  encampment.  **A  dead  rebel  is 
of  more  good  than  a  live  one,  and  we  have  no 
time  to  lose." 

*'Hang  me,  if  that's  what  you're  hankerin' 
for!"  Corporal  'Lige  cried  in  a  voice  that 
sounded  thick  and  choked  as  if  a  heavy  pres- 
sure was  upon  his  throat.  **Even  though  I 
knew  more  concernin'  this  'ere  expedition 
than  I  do,  not  a  word  should  I  speak." 

** We'll  soon  see  whether  you're  so  willing 
to  dance  on  nothing,"  the  first  speaker  cried 
vindictively,  and  then  came  noises  as  if  the 
man  was  making  ready  to  carry  his  threat 
into  execution. 

**Give  him  another  chance,"  one  of  the 
Tories  suggested.  *'Let  the  old  fool  tell  us 
all  he  knows  of  Allen's  plans,  an'  we'll  leave 
him  none  the  worse  for  our  coming," 


50  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

**I  know  nothing!"  the  corporal  cried  in  a 
rage.  **Do  you  reckon  the  colonel  would 
lay  out  his  campaign  before  me?" 

*'It  is  said  he  did  so  before  you  left  Pitts - 
field." 

** Whoever  says  that  is  a  liar;  but  even 
though  he  had  made  the  fullest  explanations, 
I  would  not  reveal  the  plans  to  you.  You 
must  think  I'm  a  mighty  poor  kind  of  a  sol- 
dier if  I  don't  know  how  to  die  rather  than 
play  the  traitor." 

**  You'll  soon  have  a  chance  of  proving 
what  you  can  do!"  the  third  man  cried 
angrily,  and  then  it  was  he  stepped  forward, 
V  leaving  Isaac  free  to  do  as  he  thought  best. 

That  these  three  Tories  were  bent  on  hang- 
ing the  old  soldier,  or  at  least  so  nearly 
doing  so  as  to  frighten  him  into  disclosing  all 
he  knew  regarding  Colonel  Allen's  plans, 
there  could  be  no  question,  and  young  Rice, 


CORPORAL  'LICE'S  RECRUIT.  51 

trembling  with  fear  though  he  was,  had  no 
other  thought  than  as  to  how  it  might  be 
possible  for  him  to  aid  his  comrade. 

It  did  not  seem  probable  the  men  were 
ignorant  regardmg  the  boy's  presence,  and 
the  only  explanation  which  can  be  made  as 
to  why  they  failed  to  secure  him  is  that  he 
was  so  nearly  a  child  as  to  appear  of  but  lit- 
tle consequence.  They  evidently  had  no 
thought  that  he  could  in  any  way  thwart  their 
purpose,  and,  therefore,  no  heed  was  given 
to  him. 

It  can  readily  be  imagined  that  Isaac  did 
not  waste  much  time  in  speculations  as  to 
why  he  was  allowed  to  remain  at  liberty. 

Now  was  come  the  moment  when  he  might 
repay  some  portion  of  the  debt  he  believed 
he  owed  Corporal  'Lige,  and  the  only  anxiety 
in  his  mind  was  lest  he  should  not  do  it  in 
proper  military  fashion. 


52  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

He  could  not  even  so  much  as  guess  what  a 
genuine  soldier  would  do  under  the  same 
circumstances ;  but  he  had  a  very  good  idea 
as  to  how  a  boy  might  extricate  himself  from 
such  a  difficulty,  and  lost  no  time  in  begin- 
ning the  work. 

The  three  men  were  so  busily  engaged  try- 
ing to  frighten  the  corporal  into  telling  them 
what  he  might  know  of  Colonel  Allen's 
forces  as  not  to  heed  the  noise  Isaac  made 
when  he  rolled  himself  toward  the  bushes 
in  that  direction  where  the  two  muskets 
had  been  set  up  against  a  tree  under  the 
foliage  in  such  manner  that  they  might  not 
be  affected  by  the  dew. 

It  was  impossible  for  him  to  say  exactly 
what  these  intruders  were  doing  to  Corporal 
'Lige,  but,  from  the  noises,  he  judged  they 
had  first  made  a  prisoner  of  the  old  man  by 
seizing  him  around  the  throat,  perhaps  while 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  53 

he  was  yet  asleep,  and  now  there  was  every 
indication  that  they  were  making  ready  to 
carry  out  the  threat  of  hanging. 

**Give  him  another  chance  to  tell  what  he 
knows,"  one  of  the  men  cried,  and  immedi- 
ately afterward  the  old  soldier  replied : 

** String  me  up  if  you  will,  for  there's  no 
need  of  waiting  any  longer  with  the  idea  that 
I'm  goin'  to  give  you  any  information,  even 
if  I  have  it." 

**Then  up  with  him!"  the  man  who  had 
first  spoken  shouted,  and  Isaac,  without 
looking  in  that  direction,  heard  the  confused 
noises  which  told  him  the  enemy  were  trying 
to  raise  the  old  man  to  his  feet. 

By  this  time  the  boy  had  his  hand  on  one 
of  the  muskets,  and  his  first  impulse  was  to 
discharge  it  full  at  the  intruders ;  but  before 
he  could  act,  the  thought  came  that  there 
were  two  shots  at  his  disposal,  and  he  ought 


64  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

to  SO  plan  as  to  make  both  of  them  count. 
He  believed  it  was  necessary  to  work  with 
the  utmost  speed,  lest  these  three  Tories 
should  have  hung  the  corporal  before  he  was 
ready  to  interfere,  and  yet  a  certain  number 
of  seconds  were  absolutely  necessary  before 
he  could  carry  out  that  plan  which  had  sud- 
denly come  into  his  mind. 

With  both  muskets  under  his  arm  he  crept 
cautiously  a  few  paces  onward  until  screened 
by  the  foliage,  and  then  raising  one  of  the 
weapons,  took  deliberate  aim  at  the  nearest 
enemyo 

There  was  no  thought  in  his  mind  that  he 
was  thus  compassing  the  death  of  a  human 
being.  He  only  knew  his  comrade's  life  was 
in  danger,  and  that  a  well-directed  shot  might 
save  him. 

The  three  men  had  by  this  time  gotten  a 
rope  around  Corporal  'Lige's  neck,  and,  find- 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  55 

ing  that  it  was  difficult  to  raise  the  old  man 
to  his  feet,  were  throwing  the  halter  over  the 
limb  of  the  nearest  tree  as  a  method  of 
saving  labor. 

One  of  the  Tories,  he  who  appeared  to  be 
the  elder,  and  who  was  directing  the  move- 
ments of  the  others,  stood  a  few  paces  from 
his  comrades,  and,  taking  deliberate  aim  at 
him,  Isaac  shouted: 

*' Throw  down  your  weapons,  and  sur- 
render, or  you  are  dead  men!" 

The  words  had  but  just  been  spoken  when 
he  discharged  the  musket,  and  a  scream  of 
pain  from  the  living  target  told  that  the 
bullet  had  sped  true  to  its  mark. 

The  two  men  who  were  as  yet  unarmed 
dropped  the  rope  they  were  holding  and 
sprang  toward  their  weapons,  which  had 
been  left  on  the  ground  near  by ;  but  before 
they  could  reach  them,  Isaac  had  emptied  a. 


56  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

second  musket,  and  another  cry  of  pain  rang 
out. 

**  Throw  down  your  weapons  and  surrender, 
or  you  are  dead  men!"  he  shouted  again,  and 
at  this  the  third  Tory,  who  must  have  be- 
lieved there  was  more  than  one  man  in  the 
thicket,  took  to  his  heels  in  alarm,  while 
Corporal  'Lige,  who  had  received  no  worse 
injury  than  a  severe  choking,  seized  upon 
the  three  muskets  which  were  lying  close 
beside  him. 

Even  now,  when  two  of  the  intruders  were 
wounded  and  the  third  running  for  dear  life, 
Isaac  was  doubtful  as  to  whether  he  should 
show  himself. 

He  remained  in  concealment,  while  the 
corporal  gazed  around  him  in  surprise  for  a 
dozen  seconds  or  more,  and  gave  no  token  of 
his  whereabouts  until  the  old  man  shouted : 

**Hello,  friends!    Show  yourselves!" 


"  IS  IT  ALL  RIGHT.  CORPORAL?  "     ISAAC  ASKED  TIMIDLY. 

Corporal  ''Lige's  Recruit,  p.  57. 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  57 

**Is  it  all  right?"  Isaac  asked  timidly,  and 
in  a  tone  which  was  little  better  than  a 
squeak.    **Is  it  all  right,  corporal?" 

**Come  in  here,  Isaac  Eice.  Can  it  be  it 
was  you  who  fired  those  shots?" 

The  raw  recruit  came  forward  almost 
timidly,  and  Corporal  'Lige,  shifting  the 
three  muskets  he  had  taken  possession  of 
over  on  to  his  left  arm,  seized  the  boy  by  the 
hand. 

**rve  done  a  good  bit  of  soldierin'  in  my 
day,  lad;  seen  surprises,  an'  ambushes,  an' 
attacks  of  a  similar  kind  without  number; 
but  never  did  I  know  of  anything  that  was 
done  with  more  neatness  an'  dispatch  than 
this  same  job  of  yours,  which  has  saved  my 
neck  from  bein'  stretched.  I'm  proud  of 
you,  lad!" 

Isaac  was  overwhelmed  by  this  praise,  yet 
not  to  such  an  extent  but  that  there  was  a 


58  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

great  fear  in  his  mind  lest  he  had  taken  a 
human  life,  and  he  asked  anxiously: 

**Do  you  suppose  I  hurt  either  of  them 
seriously,  Corporal  'Lige?"  and  he  pointed  to 
where  the  wounded  men  lay. 

**It  is  to  be  hoped  you  killed  'em  both,  so 
that  we  may  be  spared  any  further  trouble 
with  the  vermin,"  and  not  until  then  did  the 
corporal  condescend  to  give  any  attention  to 
those  enemies  who  had  been  so  sadly  worsted 
by  a  boy. 

Just  at  this  moment  the  wounded  Tories 
suffered  more  in  mind  than  in  body,  for  they 
now  understood  who  had  made  the  attack 
upon  them ,  and  it  can  readily  be  fancied  that 
both  were  ashamed  at  having  been  thus 
defeated  in  their  purpose  by  one  whom  they 
had  considered  of  so  little  importance  that 
no  effort  was  made  to  deprive  him  of  his 
liberty  when  they  surprised  the  encampment. 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  59 

It  was  with  the  most  intense  relief  that 
young  Rice  heard  the  corporal's  report, 
which  was  to  the  effect  that  he  who  had 
acted  as  leader  of  the  party  had  a  severe  but 
apparently  not  exceedingly  dangerous  wound 
in  the  shoulder,  while  his  comrade  was 
suffering  from  a  bullet-hole  in  the  leg. 

**They're  disabled,  lad,  but  not  killed,  an' 
the  first  bit  of  soldierln'  that  you  have  been 
called  on  to  do  is  like  to  give  great  credit 
with  such  as  Colonel  Allen  and  Colonel  Eas- 
ton.  Tell  me  how  you  happened  to  think  of 
overcoming  them  in  this  shape?" 

**I  didn't  think  of  it,"  the  boy  replied. 
**It  seemed  to  me  you  were  like  to  be  hanged 
and  I  only  did  what  was  in  my  power." 

**I  came  nigher  to  havin'  my  neck  stretched 
than  ever  before,  an'  as  it  was,  the  villainous 
Tories  pulled  mighty  hard  on  that  rope, 
before  you  effected  the  rescue;  but,  lad,  you 


60  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

must  have  thought !  This  attack  you  made 
in  such  a  soldierly  fashion  wasn't  the  result 
of  chance,  an'  that  I'll  go  bail." 

It  was  useless  to  make  any  attempt  at  con- 
vincing Corporal  'Lige  of  what  was  only  the 
truth. 

The  old  man  was  so  determined  to  look 
upon  the  rescue  as  a  soldierly  act  that  he 
would  not  accept  any  other  explanation,  and 
the  boy  ceased  his  fruitless  efforts  by  asking: 

"What  is  to  be  done  with  these  two 
Tories?" 

**I  reckon  they  must  be  got  back  to  camp, 
although  it  would  be  no  more  than  servin' 
'em  right  if  we  put  an  end  to  their  miserable 
lives  without  further  parley." 

**0h,  you  wouldn't  kill  them  in  cold  blood. 
Corporal  'Lige?"  Isaac  cried  in  alarm. 

**No;  I  don't  reckon  I  would,  though  that's 
what  ought  to  be  done  with  'em.    It's  plain 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  61 

you  an'  I  can't  lug  the  two  a  matter  of  a  mile 
or  more,  so  one  must  stand  guard  over  'em 
while  the  other  goes  back  to  the  camp.  I'm 
leavin'  it  to  you  to  say  which  service  you'll 
perform,  for  after  this  night's  work  I'm 
willin'  to  admit  that  my  recruit  has  in  him 
the  makin's  of  a  better  soldier  than  I  can 
ever  hope  to  be." 

The  boy  gave  no  heed  to  this  praise  at  the 
time,  although  later  he  remembered  the 
words  with  pleasure. 

Now  there  was  in  his  mind  a  fear  lest  the 
corporal  should  desire  him  to  guard  the 
prisoners,  and,  the  more  imminent  danger 
over,  he  was  growing  exceedingly  timorous. 

**ril  go  back  to  the  encampment  if  it  so 
please  you.  Corporal  'Lige,  because  I  can  run 
faster  than  you." 

**As  you  will,  lad,  as  you  will.  Explain  to 
Colonel  Ethan  Allen  what  has  happened  here 


Ca  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

and  let  him  say  how  these  venomous  snakes 
are  to  be  treated." 

During  this  conversation  neither  of  the 
wounded  men  had  spoken;  but  now,  as  the 
boy  was  about  to  set  out  for  the  encamp- 
ment, he  who  had  evidently  acted  as  the 
leader  cried  sharply : 

**Hold  on  a  bit!  What  is  the  sense  of 
sending  us  into  your  camp  when  we  are  like 
to  die?  Why  not  give  us  a  show  for  our 
lives?" 

**In  what  way?"  Corporal  'Lige  asked 
sternly. 

**By  allowing  us  to  go  to  our  homes." 

**That  will  do,"  the  old  soldier  said 
angrily.  **  After  your  attempt  to  kill  me  I'm 
not  such  a  simple  as  to  let  you  go  scot  free. 
Get  you  gone,  lad,  and  make  the  report  to 
Colonel  Allen  as  soon  as  may  be." 

The  wounded  Tory  continued  to  plead  with 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  63 

the  corporal ;  but  Isaac  did  not  wait  to  hear 
anything  more. 

He  set  out  at  full  speed  down  the  road  in 
the  direction  where  the  troops  were  en- 
camped, running  at  his  best  pace,  and  fearing 
each  instant  lest  that  Tory  who  had  made  his 
escape  should  suddenly  come  upon  him. 


64  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 


CHAPTER  IVo 

THE  LETTER. 

When  Isaac  was  come  within  hailing  dis- 
tance of  the  few  sentinels  who  had  been 
posted  to  guard  against  a  surprise,  he  was 
astonished  at  being  halted  after  having 
announced  who  he  was,  and  the  laxness  of 
military  discipline  can  be  understood  when 
it  is  said  that,  after  being  recognized  by  the 
recruit  at  that  particular  post,  the  boy  was 
allowed  to  enter  the  encampment  without 
further  question. 

Colonel  Allen  was  not  better  lodged  than 
his  men.  A  lean-to  formed  of  a  few  boughs 
was  the  only  shelter  he  had,  and  Isaac  was 
forced  to  search  among  the  sleeping  soldiers 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  65 

several  moments  before  discovering  the 
whereabouts  of  the  commander. 

Once  this  had  been  done  it  was  but  the 
work  of  a  few  seconds  to  acquaint  the  officer 
with  what  had  occurred,  and  at  this  evidence 
that  the  Tories  were  dogging  the  little  army, 
more  than  one  recruit  who  had  boasted  the 
loudest  as  to  what  he  would  do  when  the 
time  for  fighting  should  come,  turned  sus- 
piciously pale  as  he  approached  to  hear  all 
Isaac  was  saying. 

**Why  did  Corporal  Watkins  camp  by  him- 
self?" Colonel  Allen  asked  when  the  boy 
concluded  his  report. 

**Because  some  of  the  men  poke  fun  at 
him,  allowin'  that  he's  too  old  to  be  of  serv- 
ice, an'  far  too  crochety  to  make  any  fist  at 
bein'  a  soldier,"  Isaac  replied  promptly. 

**I  wish  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart  that 
I  had  one  hundred  men  like  him,  rather  than 


66  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

some  of  the  braggarts  who  do  not  know  there 
is  such  a  work  as  the  manual  of  arms,"  the 
colonel  said  in  a  loud  voice,  as  if  desirous 
that  all  should  hear.  *'Tell  the  corporal  that 
he  will  camp  with  this  force  in  the  future, 
and  I  shall  make  it  my  especial  business  to 
learn  who  it  is  that  dares  make  matters 
uncomfortable  for  him." 

Then,  to  the  captain  of  the  company  to 
which  Corporal  'Lige  was  attached,  an  order 
was  given  that  a  squad  of  men  be  sent  for- 
ward to  bring  in  the  prisoners,  and  when  this 
had  been  obeyed  the  old  soldier,  as  a  matter 
of  course,  returned  with  them. 

From  that  night  Isaac  heard  nothing  more 
regarding  the  wounded  Tories.  It  was  said 
they  had  been  sent  back  to  Pittsfield  under  a 
strong  guard,  and  certain  it  is  they  disap- 
peared from  the  encampment  before  day- 
break, but  neither  the  boy  nor  the  corporal 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  67 

could  find  a  single  man  who  had  seen  them 
depart. 

This  incident,  and  it  was  hardly  to  be 
spoken  of  as  anything  of  importance,  to- 
gether with  Colonel  Allen's  remark,  served 
to  render  Corporal  'Lige's  life  more  pleasant, 
for  those  who  had  used  him  as  the  butt  of 
their  mirth  began  to  understand  that  he  was 
superior  to  themselves,  in  a  soldierly  way, 
and  more  than  one  sought  his  advice  on 
various  occasions. 

At  sunset  on  the  seventh  day  of  May  the 
raw  recruits  had  arrived  at  Castleton,  four- 
teen miles  east  of  Skenesborough,  and  Isaac 
himself  has  given  the  details  of  that  strag- 
gling march  throuo^h  the  country,  in  the  first 
letter  written  to  his  mother  after  setting  out 

as  a  soldier: 

**May  the  Eighth,  1775. 
**My  Dear  Mother,  Father,  and  Children: 
**We   have   been    camping   here    in   this 


68  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

thicket  since  last  night,  and  if  there  is  any- 
body in  all  the  company  more  tired  of  sol- 
diering than  I  am,  I  would  like  to  meet  him. 
I  wore  a  hole  in  the  heel  of  my  stocking  on 
the  second  day,  and  gob  such  a  blister 
because  of  it  that  I've  been  obliged  to  go 
barefoot  ever  since. 

*'We  have  had  plenty  to  eat,  for  the  folks 
along  the  road  were  most  kind;  but  it's 
sleeping  that  has  been  the  worst  on  me, 
though  the  corporal  says  I  never  can  hope  to 
be  a  soldier  till  I'm  able  to  lay  down  in  three 
or  four  inches  of  water  and  get  as  much  rest 
as  I  would  at  home  in  bed.  I  tell  him  I  don't 
hope  to  be  one  any  more,  for  I've  had  about 
enough  of  it,  though  of  course  I  shall  stick 
by  the  company  till  we've  taken  the  fort, 
and  it's  pretty  certain  we  shall  do  that, 
because  now  there  are  two  hundred  and 
seventy  men  in  the  ranks. 

**  Colonel  Easton  enlisted  thirty -nine  of  his 
militia  before  we  got  to  Bennington,    and 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  69 

there  we  were  joined  by  the  Green  Mountain 
Boys  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Ethan 
Allen. 

*'It  surprised  me  to  find  that  a  good  many 
of  the  people  don't  believe  we  are  doing  right 
in  trying  to  take  away  the  fort  from  the 
king's  troops,  and  the  corporal  says  that 
unless  this  thing  is  a  success  we  are  all  like 
to  be  hanged  for  traitors,  because  his  majesty 
will  make  an  example  of  them  who  are  fore- 
most in  the  work — which  means  us. 

**Two  hours  after  we  halted  last  night  Colo- 
nel Benedict  Arnold,  who  is  said  to  have 
gone  from  New  Haven  as  captain  of  a  com- 
pany, to  Cambridge,  arrived  here  with  a  few 
men  and  a  large  amount — so  it  seems  to  me 
— of  military  supplies. 

**  Although  knowing  that  Colonel  Allen  is 
in  charge  of  this  force,  he  claimed  the  right 
to  take  command,  and,  so  the  corporal  says, 
made  display  of  a  commission  signed  by  the 
Massachusetts  Committee  of  Safety,  declar- 


70  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

ing  that  it  entitled  him  to  take  charge  of  all 
the  troops.  Now,  although  Vm  not  a  soldier 
— the  corporal  says  I  never  will  be — I've  got 
sense  enough  to  understand  that  if  I  enlisted 
under  Colonel  Easton,  and  was  willing  he 
should  give  way  to  Colonel  Allen  so  we 
might  have  the  Green  Mountain  Boys  with 
us,  the  Massachusetts  Committee  of  Safety 
have  ^ot  nothing  to  do  with  saying  who  shall 
lead  in  the  battle — though  I  hope  to  goodness 
we  shan't  see  one. 

**The  corporal  says  that  no  committee  is 
going  to  scare  Ethan  Allen,  and  it's  certain, 
so  those  of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys  with 
whom  I've  talked  say,  that  this  stranger 
won't  get  himself  into  command  of  the  com- 
pany, even  though,  as  is  said,  he  brings  one 
hundred  pounds  in  money,  two  hundred 
pounds'  weight  of  gunpowder,  the  same  of 
leaden  balls,  and  one  thousand  flints,  to 
carry  all  of  which,  and  himself,  he  has  ten 
horses. 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  71 

**Now,  the  corporal  claims  that  these 
things,  including  the  money,  are  munitions 
of  war,  and  that  if  Colonel  Arnold  doesn't 
deliver  them  over  to  Colonel  Allen,  they  will 
be  taken  from  him,  and  he.  Corporal  'Lige,  I 
mean,  went  early  this  morning  to  Master 
Phelps,  offering  to  see  to  it  that  this  property 
was  delivered  up  to  us ;  but  for  some  reason 
or  other — neither  the  corporal  nor  I  can 
understand  what — his  offer  was  not  accepted. 

**I  have  heard  it  said,  and  the  corporal  is  of 
the  opinion  it  is  true,  that  when  the  council 
of  war  was  held  last  night  before  this  gentle- 
man from  New  Haven  arrived,  Colonel  Allen 
was  chosen  commander  of  the  whole  expedi- 
tion. Colonel  Easton  second  in  command,  and 
Seth  Warner  third.  It  was  decided  that  the 
greater  number  of  us,  with  the  principal 
officers,  would  march  from  here  to  Shoreham 
— which  you  know  is  opposite  Ticonderoga — 
and  Captain  Herrick  with  thirty  men  would 
at  the  same  time  go  to  Skenesborough  to 


72  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

capture  young  Major  Skene,  whose  father, 
the  governor,  is  now  in  England;  seize  all 
the  boats  they  can  find,  and  join  us  at  Shore- 
ham.  Captain  Douglas  is  to  go  to  Panton 
with  a  small  troop,  and  get  whatever  craft  is 
in  the  water  roundabout.  The  corporal  says 
he  shall  be  quite  well  satisfied  with  this 
arrangement,  providing  the  remainder  of  the 
plan  is  mapped  out  as  he  thinks  right. 

*' However,  nobody  seems  to  know  whether 
Colonel  Arnold  will  manage  to  get  his  com- 
mission from  the  Massachusetts  Committee 
of  Safety  recognized  as  good  and  sufficient 
authority  for  him  to  lord  it  over  our  people, 
and  we  ask  each  other  what  will  become  of 
his  munitions  of  war  in  case  he  doesn't,  or 
how  may  the  plans  be  changed  if  he  does? 

**What  I  can't  understand  in  this  whole 
business  is  why  the  corporal  shouldn't  be 
the  third  officer  in  command,  instead  of 
Master  Warner,  who  I  have  no  doubt  is  a 
very  worthy  gentleman;  but  of  course  can- 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  73 

not  claim  to  be  any  sach  soldier  as  Corporal 
'Lige.  He  says  there's  always  a  lot  of 
jealousy  among  officers  in  the  army,  and 
that's  why  he  isn't  to  be  given  a  chance  to 
show  how  much  he  can  do. 

•*  The  food  I  brought  from  home  was  used 
up  the  second  day — the  corporal  had  what  he 
called  a  *  coming  appetite' — and  perhaps  it 
was  just  as  well,  for  I  liad  all  the  load  any 
fellow  could  want  to  carry.  I  never  believed 
before  leaving  home  that  father's  musket  was 
so  heavy ;  I  held  it  over  my  shoulder  until  it 
seemed  as  if  the  flesh  was  worn  right  down 
to  the  bone ;  then  lugged  it  in  my  hand  till 
my  arm  ached  as  if  it  was  going  to  drop  off, 
and  I  verily  believe  I  would  have  thrown 
the  thing  away  but  that  Corporal  'Lige  said 
a  soldier  didn't  amount  to  very  much  unless 
he  had  a  weapon  of  some  kind. 

**The  corporal  says  I  am  to  give  you  his 
dutiful  compliments,  and  to  say  that  if  his 


74  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

life  is  spared,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  he  will 
capture  Ticonderoga  before  we  come  back. 

**As  for  me,  I  wish  I  was  at  home  now, 
though  it  will  be  a  fine  thing  if  we  do  what 
the  old  man  says  is  our  duty  in  these  times, 
without  being  hanged. 

**I  haven't  yet  found  out  why  people  think 
there  is  so  much  honor  to  be  gained  in  being  a 
soldier.  To  my  mind  it's  much  like  any 
other  way  of  running  around  the  country ; 
but  the  corporal  says  if  he  had  the  manage- 
ment of  affairs  things  would  be  different, 
because  he'd  keep  the  men  right  up  to  their 
work,  though  I  don't  see  how  it  could  well  be 
done.  For  my  part,  I  shouldn't  carry  a 
musket  over  my  shoulder  when  I  was  lame 
and  tired  just  because  any  man  said  so.  It 
would  be  as  well  whatever  fashion  I  lugged  it, 
providing  the  labor  was  lessened;  but  the 
corporal  says  it  would  make  all  the  difference 
in  the  world  if  we  marched  the  same  as  we 
would  at  a  muster. 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  75 

''I  love  you  all  very  much,  and  shall  be 
precious  glad  to  find  myself  at  home  again. 
**From  your  obedient  and  dutiful  son, 

** Isaac  Rice." 

In  this  letter  the  young  recruit,  who 
although  having  enjoyed  the  teachings  of 
Corporal  'Lige,  was  certainly  not  a  soldier  at 
heart,  has  told  the  main  facts  in  the  case 
regarding  the  halt  of  the  militia  at  Castleton; 
but  it  will  be  observed  that  his  modesty  was 
too  great  to  permit  of  his  mentioning  the 
brave  part  he  played  in  the  rescue  of  Cor- 
poral 'Lige  from  the  Tories. 

He  has  failed,  however,  most  probably 
through  ignorance,  in  giving  Colonel  Arnold's 
authority  for  claiming  his  right  to  lead  the 
expedition. 

That  officer  had  brought  to  Cambridge 
from  New  Haven  a  company  of  which  he  was 


•^6  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

the  captain,  and  upon  arriving  there  at  once 
reported  to  the  Massachusetts  Committee  of 
Safety  that  it  would  be  possible,  before  the 
forts  had  been  reinforced,  to  seize  the  works 
at  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point  with  a  com- 
paratively small  body  of  men* 

He  proceeded  to  organize  an  expedition  for 
such  a  purpose,  and  to  this  end  was  supplied 
with  the  money  and  munitions  of  war  men- 
tioned by  Isaac,  together  with  a  colonel's 
commission,  which  gave  him  the  chief  com- 
mand of  troops,  not  exceeding  four  hundred 
in  number,  which  he  might  raise  to  accom- 
pany him  against  the  lake  fortresses. 

Upon  arriving  at  Stockbridge,  in  the  prov- 
ince of  Massachusetts,  he  learned  that 
another  expedition  had  set  out — that  is  to 
say  the  same  one  Corporal  'Lige  and  Isaac 
accompanied — and  after  engaging  ofBcers 
and  men  to  the  number  of  fourteen  he  has- 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  71' 

tened  onward,  overtaking  the  militia  as 
Isaac  has  said. 

In  this  camp  where  military  discipline  was 
conspicuous  by  its  absence,  the  recruits,  who 
had  learned  within  the  hour  what  had  been 
decided  upon  the  night  previous  by  the 
council  of  war,  soon  ascertained  the  position 
which  the  officer  from  New  Haven  claimed, 
and  knew  exactly  what  he  proposed  to  do  by 
virtue  of  his  commission. 

Even  though  the  men  had  not  learned  such 
facts  from  their  officers,  those  recruits  who 
accompanied  Colonel  Arnold  would  have  at 
once  made  the  matter  public. 

At  about  the  time  Isaac  finished  the  letter 
to  his  mother  the  encampment  was  in  a  state 
bordering  on  insubordination. 

Colonel  Arnold's  recruits  raised  in  Stock- 
bridge  insisted  that  their  leader  should  com- 
mand the  forces,  not  only  because  he  was 


78  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

authorized  to  do  so,  but  owing  to  the  fact 
that  he  had  the  money  and  ammunition 
necessary  to  carry  out  the  plan,  while  the 
members  of  Colonel  Allen's  regiment,  known 
as  the  Green  Mountain  Boys  were  equally 
determined  that  such  honor  as  might  be 
gained  should  be  their  colonel's,  and  in  a 
brief  space  of  time  these  new-fledged  patriots 
were  ripe  for  riot. 

Now  was  come  the  hour  when  Corporal 
'Lige  had  shown  him  some  portion  of  that 
consideration  which  he  believed  due  his 
experience  in  military  affairs. 

Those  members  of  Colonel  Easton's  mili- 
tia regiment  which  had  joined  the  ex- 
pedition, jealous  because  their  leader  had 
given  way  to  Colonel  Allen,  now  demanded 
loudl}^  and  publicly  that  *  he  must  lead  the 
party  or  they  would  turn  back. 

Inasmuch,  however,  as  this  portion  of  the 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  '^'9 

troops  amounted  to  fifty  or  thereabouts,  they 
had  a  small  showing  when  the  Green  Moun- 
tain boys,  who  were  more  than  two  hundred 
strong,  came  forth  in  turn  with  their  threats. 

Colonel  Allen  was  to  be  retained  first  in 
command,  as  had  been  decided  upon  the 
previous  evening,  or  they  should  march  back 
to  Bennington  without  an  hour's  delay. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  men  from  Stock- 
bridge  insisted  that  Colonel  Arnold  was  the 
lawful  commander  because  he  was  the  only 
one  who  held  a  commission  for  such  purpose, 
and  threatened  that  neither  money  nor 
munitions  of  war  should  be  given  up  unless 
his  claims  were  fully  recognized. 

On  this  morning  of  the  eighth  of  May  the 
men  were  divided  into  three  divisions 
according  to  their  opinions,  and  it  seemed 
much  as  if  the  ofiicers  were  willing  they 
should  settle    it    without  interference,    for 


80  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

those  highest  in  command  remained  in 
council  among  themselves,  giving  no  heed  to 
the  threats  which  were  uttered  here  and 
there  until  it  seemed  positive  personal  en- 
counters must  soon  take  the  place  of  words. 

The  men  from  round  about  Pittsfield,  recog- 
nizing the  need  of  a  leader  in  what  might 
properly  be  termed  a  mutiny,  selected  Cor- 
poral 'Lige  as  if  by  common  consent,  and 
Isaac  had  but  just  written  his  mother's  name 
on  the  missive  which  had  cost  him  so  much 
labor,  when  he  and  the  corporal  were  sur- 
rounded by  the  faction  to  which  belonged 
their  neighbors  and  friends. 

One  of  these,  a  butcher,  whose  home  was 
in  Pittsfield,  thus  addressed  the  old  man, 
using  at  the  beginning  of  his  remark  just 
that  compliment  best  calculated  to  please 
him. 

**You,  who  have  had  so  much  experience 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  81 

in  military  affairs,  Corporal  'Lige,  should  be 
able  to  settle  this  matter  without  any  great 
loss  of  time,  for  according  to  my  way  of 
thinking  it  must  be  arranged  among  the  men 
themselves,  or  not  at  all." 

*'I  have  seen  plenty  of  fightin',  the  corporal 
began  slowly,  as  if  undecided  what  words  had 
best  be  used;  **but  it  was  in  the  king's  army, 
as  you  well  know,  and  there  every  one  in 
command  held  their  commission  from  his 
majesty,  which  plainly  said  he  was  to  be  the 
leader.  Now  it  seems  in  this  'ere  case  that 
the  only  oflScer  who  has  any  real  authority  is 
the  one  from  New  Haven " 

A  chorus  of  derisive  howls  interrupted  the 
old  man,  and  not  a  few  of  his  neighbors 
accused  him  of  being  a  traitor  because  he 
was  apparently  on  the  point  of  giving  his 
decision  in  favor  of  the  stranger^ 

Waiting  patiently  until  they  had  exhausted 


82  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRtJIT. 

their  anger,  and  were  silent  once  more,  he 
continued  placidly : 

**As  I  said  before  it  seems  to  me  the  only 
one  with  any  show  of  authority  is  the  officer 
from  New  Haven;  but,"  and  Corporal  'Lige 
emphasized  this  word,  **but  what  do  you 
know  of  this  'ere  Massachusetts  Committee 
of  Safety?  Accordin'  to  my  way  of  figurin', 
that  body  of  men  are  lookin'  out  for  matters 
round  about  Boston,  and  we've  got  with  us 
recruits  all  the  way  from  Pittsfield  up  to 
Bennington,  none  of  whom  are  given  over- 
much to  heedin'  what  the  Boston  folks  think 
is  right  or  wrong.  Therefore  I  say,  that  while 
the  officer  from  New  Haven  seems  to  have 
the  only  real  authority,  it  strikes  me  that 
his  commission  does  not  extend  as  far  as 
this  'ere  spot,  where  we  are  encamped." 

Again  he  was  interrupted ;  but  this  time  by 
cries  expressive  of  satisfaction  and  good  wilL 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  83 

**We  were  the  ones  who  started  the  idea  of 
taking  the  fort,"  a  recruit  from  Pittsfield 
cried,  '*and  that  being  the  case  I  hold  we've 
got  the  right  to  say  who  shall  lead  us." 

**But  the  Green  Mountain  Boys  won't  go 
except  their  colonel  is  in  command," 
another  added,  and  a  third  cried: 

'*The  men  of  Stockbridge  will  hold  to  Colo- 
nel Arnold,  and  won't  go  on  under  another." 

**Well,  I've  heard  all  that  before,"  Cor- 
poral 'Lige  said  in  a  tone  of  fine  irony.  *'If 
you  have  come  to  me  to  repeat  the  same 
story  that  has  been  goin'  'round  the  encamp- 
ment since  daybreak,  why  then  you  are 
wastin'  your  time.  If  you  want  my  opinion 
so  that  this  thing  can  be  put  right  in  short 
order,  hold  your  tongues,  an'  I'll  give  it." 

**Let  Corporal  'Lige  finish." 

•*He  is  soldier  enough  to  know  what  should 
be  done." 


84  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

**Go  on,  corporal,  go  on." 

This  evidence  of  popularity  was  most 
pleasing  to  the  old  man,  and  smiling  benig- 
nantly  upon  those  nearest,  he  said,  with  the 
air  of  one  who  cannot  be  in  the  wrong  : 

**This  is  how  it  must  be  done:  Let  them 
as  come  with  Colonel  Easton,  stick  to  him; 
the  Green  Mountain  Boys  shall  hang  to  the 
tail  of  Colonel  Allen's  coat,  and  the  Stock- 
bridge  men  may  follow  Colonel  Arnold. 
That  makes  three  bands  of  us.  Now,  mark 
you,  lads,  there  are  three  sides  to  that  'ere 
fort — one  apiece.  Let  us  meet  here  at  what- 
ever hour  you  will,  and  then  start  on  the 
minute,  each  troop  taking  a  different  course, 
an'  them  who  arrive  first  an'  capture  the 
fortification,  gets  the  credit." 

**But  we  are  needing  what  Colonel  Arnold 
brought  with  him,"  some  one  cried. 

**Ay,  and  you  would  have  heard  me  fix  that 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  85 

if  you'd  waited.  Where  did  this  'ere  Massa- 
chusetts Committee  of  Safety  get  these 
munitions  of  war  an'  this  money?  Why, 
they  got  it  out  of  the  province,  of  course. 
And  where  did  we  come  from?  Why,  we 
come  from  the  province  of  Massachusetts,  of 
course.  Then  who  does  this  money  and 
these  munitions  of  war  belong  to?  Why, 
they  belong  to  us,  of  course.  Now,  as  near 
as  I  have  heard,  there  are  only  fourteen 
following  Colonel  Arnold.  How  long  will  it 
take  us  to  lay  our  hands  on  all  that  stuff? 
Then  I  guarantee  that  Colonel  Easton — for 
if  he  wants  me  to  do  it  I'll  help  him  in  con- 
ducting the  campaign — will  march  straight 
through  an'  take  Ticonderoga  before  you've 
had  time  to  say  Jack  Robinson.  Never  mind 
what  the  Green-Mountain  Boys  do,  an'  as  for 
the  Stockbridge  men,  they  ain't  enough  for 
the  countin'." 


86  CORPORAL  'LIGES  RECRUIT. 

The  advice  which  Corporal  'Lige  had  given 
met  with  the  unqualified  approval  of  all 
whom  he  addressed,  and  instantly  shouts 
were  raised  in  his  honor  until  those  recruits 
who  were  not  in  the  secret  looked  about  them 
in  alarm  and  dismay  as  if  fearing  an  at- 
tack. 

Isaac  was  frightened,  of  that  there  could 
be  no  mistake. 

It  seemed  to  him  as  if  an  immediate  and 
unquestionably  dangerous  encounter  could 
not  be  prevented,  for  already  were  the  men 
hanging  about  Corporal  'Lige  in  a  dense 
body  as  bees  hang  about  their  queen  when 
swarming,  all  urging  that  he  lead  them  on  to 
wrest  from  the  Stockbridge  men  the 
property  which  he  had  proven  did  not  belong 
to  them. 

Isaac  glanced  this  way  and  then  as  if  try- 
ing to  determine  in  which  direction  it  would 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  87 

be  safest  to  flee,  but  at  this  moment  his  eyes 
fell  upon  a  lad  of  about  his  own  age,  who 
had  come  in  from  the  highway  and  was 
staring  about  him  in  perplexity. 


88  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 


CHAPTER  V. 

NATHAN  BEMAN. 

In  his  fear  and  trouble  it  seemed  to  Isaac 
as  if  this  stranger  might  render  him  some 
valuable  assistance. 

It  was  as  if  he  stood  alone  amid  the 
recruits,  now  that  Corporal  'Lige  had  been 
claimed,  so  to  speak,  as  leader  of  the  Pitts- 
field  faction,  and  the  lad  needed  some  one  to 
whom  he  could  appeal  for  advice. 

Therefore  it  was  that  while  the  new-comer 
was  staring  about  him  as  if  distracted  by  the 
tumult,  Isaac  approached  in  the  most  friendly 
manner  as  he  asked: 

"Are  you  a  recruit?" 

**What  do  you  mean  by  that?" 

**Do  you  belong  to  the  soldiers  here?" 


COEPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  89 

**Do  you  call  these  soldiers?"  the  stranger 
asked  almost  contemptuously. 

**Well,  if  they  ain't,  what  do  you  call 
them?" 

**They  look  to  me  like  a  crowd  of  folks 
what  was  goin'  to  have  a  fight  pretty  soon." 

**That's  jest  what  I'm  afraid  of.  Say,  do 
you  live  near  here?" 

**No,  I  came  from  Shoreham.  We  heard 
there  was  a  crowd  comin'  to  take  Fort 
Ticonderoga,  an'  seein's  how  they  didn't  get 
along  very  fast,  I  thought  I'd  come  an'  hunt 
'em  up.    Do  you  count  yourself  a  soldier?" 

*'I  did  when  I  left  Pittsfield;  but  I've 
kind'er  got  over  that  feelin'  now.  What's 
your  name?" 

**Nathan  Beman." 

**Mine's  Isaac  Rice." 

**What  made  you  come  out  with  a  crowd 
like  this?" 


90  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

"All  the  folks  'round  our  way  was  enlist- 
ing, and  they  said  it  was  the  duty  of  every- 
body to  fight  against  the  king.  Besides  that 
the  corporal  was  going,  an'  he  agreed  to  put 
me  through  in  great  shape." 

**Who's  the  corporal?" 

** That's  him  over  there  with  the  red  coat 
on. 

**Do  you  allow  an  old  chap  like  him  could 
put  anybody  through  in  very  great  shape?" 

**You  mustn't  talk  like  that  about  Corporal 
'Lige  where  anybody  will  hear  you.  Why, 
he's  a  regular  soldier;  fought  under  General 
Abercrombie  in  '58,  an'  I  reckon  if  it  hadn't 
been  for  him  the  king's  troops  would  have 
got  it  terrible  bad." 

**  An'  that's  about  the  way  they  did  get  it." 

**Well,  Corporal  'Lige  is  here  now,  an'  it'll 
be  different.     Did  you  ever  see  the  fort?" 

**See  it?    Why,  I'm  over  there  pretty  near 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  91 

very  week.  Our  folks  sell  eggs  an'  chickens 
an'  such  truck  to  the  garrison,  an'  Iknow  the 
place  jest  like  I  do  my  own  home." 

**Do  you  s'pose  we  can  take  it?" 

** There  seems  to  be  a  sight  of  you  here; 
but  I  shouldn't  want  to  make  a  guess  till 
after  I'd  seen  whether  there's  going  to  be  a 
row  among  all  hands  or  not.  Father  says 
when  thieves  fall  out  honest  men  get  their 
due." 

However  frightened  Isaac  might  be,  he  was 
not  disposed  to  allow  any  boy  of  his  own  size 
to  call  the  members  of  this  army  thieves, 
even  though  they  were  in  a  state  of  insubor- 
dination, and  forgetting  all  his  fears  he 
demanded  sternly: 

**Who  are  you  calling  thieves?" 

"Now,  you  needn't  get  so  huffy,  'cause  I 
didn't  mean  anything,"  Nathan  replied 
quietly,   and  yet  with    no  show  of  alarm; 


92  CORPORAL  'LIGES  RECRUIT. 

**but  father  is  always  sayin'  that,  an'  I 
s'pose  it  means — well  I  don't  know  what, 
except  that  all  hands  of  you  are  fightin'  here, 
»  an'  it  looks  like  as  if  Captain  Delaplace 
would  get  the  best  of  it." 

•*Who's  he?" 

"The  commandant  of  the  fort,  of  coursCo" 

**Well,  see  here,  Nathan,  it  begins  to  look 
as  though  there  was  goin'  to  be  a  row  for  a 
fact,  and  I  hoped  you  lived  close  by  so  I 
could  go  to  your  house  till  it  was  over." 

**But  you're  a  soldier,  ain't  you?" 

'* Not  much  of  one." 

"Well,  if  you've  enlisted,  a  fight  is  right 
where  you  belong,"  and  Nathan  appeared  to 
think  this  settled  the  matter  beyond  any 
argument. 

**I  ain't  so  certain  of  that;  but  even  if  I  do 
belong  in  a  fight  I  shan't  stay  in  one.  It 
seems  like  as  if  Corporal  'Lige  had  turned 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  '      93 

me  oflP,  an'  all  he's  thinking  about  is  helping 
our  crowd  get  the  best  of  the  Stockbridgers." 

*'Well,  there  ain't  anything  very  dangerous 
here  yet  awhile;  suppose  we  wait  an'  see 
how  things  turn?  I  don't  care  overmuch  for 
fightin' myself ;  but  that's  no  reason  why  I 
shouldn't  want  to  know  whether  there's 
likely  to  be  a  row  or  not." 

Isaac  admired  the  courage  of  his  new 
acquaintance  and  immediately  adopted  him 
as  a  protector,  taking  up  his  position  a  pace 
or  two  in  the  rear  of  Nathan  as  he  watched 
the  threatening  movements. 

The  recruits  from  Pittsfield  and  vicinity 
were  standing  in  close  order  with  the  cor- 
poral at  their  head,  evidently  ready  for  what- 
ever turn  might  come  in  affairs. 

Some  of  them  retained  their  weapons ;  but 
the  majority  appeared  to  have  more  confi- 
dence in  their  fists,  and  with  arms  bared  to 


94:  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

the  elbow  were  awaiting  the  word  which 
would  precipitate  them  upon  the  small  body 
from  Stockbridge  who  guarded  the  treasure. 

This  last  detachment  had  either  learned  of 
the  advice  given  by  Corporal  'Lige,  or  scented 
danger  because  they  were  so  few  in  numbers 
as  compared  with  the  other  two  factions, 
and  were  standing  shoulder  to  shoulder  ready 
to  resist  an  expected  attack. 

A  short  distance  away  the  Green-Mountain 
Boys  remained  strictly  by  themselves;  but 
not  giving  any  sign  of  taking  part  in  the 
lawless  proceedings.  So  long  as  Ethan 
Allen  was  considered  the  head  of  the  expedi- 
tion they  were  satisfied  to  stand  aloof  from 
any  brawl. 

As  has  been  said  before,  the  leading 
officers  were  nowhere  to  be  seen;  some  of 
the  better  informed  declared  they  were  in 
the  shelter  near  by  which  had  been  used  as 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  REOR0IT.  05 

their  quarters  during  the  night,  and  with 
Colonel  Arnold  were  discussing  the  question 
of  superiority  in  rank. 

Corporal  'Lige  hesitated  to  give  the  word 
which  should  precipitate  the  riot. 

He  had  been  elevated  to  the  position  of 
leader  and  perhaps  the  responsibility  weighed 
heavily  upon  him,  for  certain  it  is  that  after 
advising  what  should  be  done,  he  evinced  a 
disposition  to  retire  from  what  might  be  the 
scene  of  a  conflict. 

**Look  here,  old  man,  we're  ready  to  do 
as  you  have  said.  Now  give  the  word  and 
lead  us  on  to  those  recruits.  We'll  soon  find 
out  what  they're  made  of,"  one  of  the  men 
said  as  the  corporal  turned  toward  the  rear 
much  as  though  intending  to  join  Isaac  and 
Nathan: 

**  Yes,  give  the  word.  This  is  your  plan,  and 
we're  ready  to  carry  it  out  as  you  have  said !" 


06  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

** Fair  an' easy;  fair  an'  easy,  comrades," 
Corporal  'Lige  said  soothingly.  **A  good 
general  doesn't  depend  wholly  on  his  plan 
until  he's  made  certain  of  the  enemy's  posi- 
tion. You  don't  allow  that  we  can  rush  in 
hilter-skilter  an'  hope  to  work  our  purpose, 
eh?" 

*'Why  not?  There  are  only  a  dozen  of 
them  to  near  fifty  of  us." 

**But  look  at  Colonel  Allen's  regiment." 

"Well,  what  of  them?  They  are  not  in 
this  quarrel,  for  their  commander  is  leader  of 
the  expedition  so  far." 

**No,  they  are  not  in  it,"  the  corporal  said; 
**but  what  assurance  have  we  they  won't 
take  a  hand  as  soon  as  we  begin  operations? 
Don't  you  allow  they  know  what  the  Stock- 
bridge  men  brought  with  them?" 

**Why,  everybody  in  camp  knows  that." 

**Then   do  you  suppose  they're  goin'  to 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  97 

stand  by  idly  while  we  take  the  money  and 
munitions?" 

The  men  began  to  murmur  among  them- 
selves, and  Corporal  'Lige  appeared  well 
satisfied  that  they  should  thus  consume  the 
time;  but  before  many  minutes  had  passed 
one  and  another  spoke  derisively  of  the  old 
man,  asking  what  his  plan  was  good  for  if  he 
didn't  dare  carry  it  out,  or  why  he  had  not 
made  mention  of  what  Colonel  Allen's  men 
might  do  in  event  of  his  suggestion  being 
acted  upon? 

At  first  the  corporal  was  not  minded  to 
take  heed  of  these  disparaging  remarks ;  but 
as  the  clamor  increased  he  was  forced  to 
defend  himself,  and  made  answer  sharply : 

**The  plan  was  good,  and  the  only  one 
likely  to  succeed.  When  I  got  that  far  with 
it  you  jumped  to  the  idea  that  it  should  be 
worked  out  at  once.    Now  all  the  while  I 


98  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRtJIT. 

was  keeping  my  eye  fixed  on  Colonel  Allen's 
men,  tryin'  to  make  up  my  mind  what 
they'd  do  when  we  struck  the  first  blow,  and 
I  haven't  decided  yet." 

** You're  a  coward!  You  claimed  to  be  an 
old  soldier,  and  to  know  more  of  warfare 
than  any  one  in  this  encampment,  not  except- 
ing the  commanders,  but  yet  you  don't  dare 
lead  fifty  men  against  a  dozen!'* 

**If  I  don't  dare  it  isn't  because  I'm  afraid 
of  bodily  injury ;  but  I  can't  afi'ord  to  stake 
my  reputation  as  a  soldier  where  the  chances 
are  likely  to  be  so  heavy  against  us.  It's 
one  thing  to  have  a  good  plan,  an'  just  as 
important  to  know  when  to  carry  it  out.  If 
we  hang  together  an'  are  ready  to  take 
advantage  of  the  first  opportunity  that 
comes,  then  we'll  be  showing  our  strength; 
but  not  by  rushing  in  hilter-skilter  like  a 
crowd  of  boys  primed  for  a  rough- an' -tumble 
fight." 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  99 

Corporal  'Lige's  argument  was  evidently 
considered  a  good  one,  for  at  once  the  out- 
cries which  had  been  raised  against  him  died 
away,  the  men  yet  remaining  in  position  as 
if  ready  to  act  upon  any  suggestion  he  might 
make. 

**I  don't  reckon  there's  goin'  to  be  much 
trouble  'round  here  after  all,"  Nathan  said  in 
a  tone  of  disappointment,  and  Isaac  gave  vent 
to  a  sigh  of  relief.  *'It  strikes  me  that  old 
man  crawled  out  of  a  pretty  small  hole." 

**Do  you  mean  to  say  he  wouldn't  dare  do 
what  the  men  wanted?" 

**Well,  he  would  be  a  pretty  poor  stick  if 
he  didn't.  There's  four  of  this  crowd  to  one 
of  that.  What  I  allow  is  he's  afraid  of  the 
officers,  and  if  this  is  any  kind  of  a  military 
company  he's  got  good  cause  to  be,  accordin' 
to  the  way  things  run  up  to  the  fort.  There 
you    wouldn't    hear    privates    tellin'    who 


100  CORPORAL  'LIGE'8  RECRUIT. 

should  command  'em,  an'  who  shouldn't,  else 
they'd  find  themselves  in  trouble." 

At  this  moment  a  great  sho at  went  up  from 
the  Green-Mountain  Boys,  and  as  the  two 
factions  who  had  stood  facing  each  other 
ready  for  the  encounter  glanced  around 
quickly,  they  saw  Colonel  Ethan  Allen 
approaching. 

Then  the  Stockbridge  men  set  up  a  shout, 
for  Colonel  Arnold  stepped  to  Allen's  side  as 
if  of  equal  rank,  and  the  Pittsfield  detach- 
ment remained  silent,  because  Colonel  Eas- 
ton  was  walking  in  the  rear  of  these  two 
officers. 

**It  looks  as  if  our  colonel  had  given  in,  an' 
wasn't  countin'  on  standin'  up  for  his  own 
rights,"  Corporal  'Lige  said  mournfully. 
**Let  one  of  you  run  over  there  an'  tell  him 
what  we're  ready  to  do.  Say  we'll  begin  the 
scrimmage  as  soon  as  he  gives  the  word." 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  101 

This  order  was  obeyed,  and  the  little  troop 
watched  the  messenger  as  he  approached  the 
colonel,  and,  without  so  much  as  touching 
his  cap  by  way  of  salute,  spoke  earnestly 
during  a  few  seconds. 

Then  Colonel  Easton  was  seen  to  shake  his 
head  decidedly,  and  the  man  returned  to  his 
fellows  looking  thoroughly  ashamed. 

**What's  the  matter?"  Corporal  'Lige  asked 
sharply. 

**He  says  if  we  had  any  idea  of  our  duties 
as  soldiers  we  should  be  less  ready  to  advise 
and  more  eager  to  obey." 

**There's  a  good  deal  of  sense  in  that,"  the 
corporal  said  thoughtfully;  **but  at  the  same 
time  I  claim  matters  are  in  such  shape  that 
we're  justified  in  making  the  proposition. 
When  a  body  of  men  have  got  a  commander 
what  won't  stand  up  for  himself,  it's  time 
the  rank  and  file  took  the  matter  in  hand." 


102  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUTT. 

**Is  that  what  you  call  good  soldiering?" 
Nathan  Beman  asked  shrilly,  and  Isaac 
clutched  his  new  friend  by  the  arm  frantically 
for  it  alarmed  him  that  any  one  should  dare 
ask  such  a  bold  question  of  the  corporal. 

The  old  man  turned  around  angrily ;  opened 
his  mouth  as  if  to  speak,  and  then,  repenting 
of  his  purpose,  faced  the  on-coming  oflBcers 
once  more,  much  as  if  to  say  that  such  a 
question  from  such  a  questioner  was  not 
worthy  of  regard. 

The  group  of  officers  advanced  until  they 
were  standing  at  equal  distances  from  each 
of  the  three  factions,  and  Colonel  Allen  said, 
speaking  slowly  and  distinctly,  looking  at 
the  forces  from  Stockbridge  and  Pittsfield : 

**It  is  no  secret  that  you  men  are  dis- 
gruntled because  I  have  been  chosen  com- 
mander of  the  expedition.  You  are  enlisted 
as    militia    from    the    province    of    Massa- 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  103 

chusetts  and  as  enroled  men  have  no  voice 
in  choosing  a  commander.  Therefore  I  pro- 
pose to  make  no  explanation  of  the  matter ; 
but  have  taken  this  opportunity  to  address 
you  in  order  to  say  that,  by  the  advice  and 
with  the  consent  of  the  others  in  command, 
those  of  you  who  cannot  obey  such  orders 
as  may  be  given  regardless  of  who  is  the 
leader,  had  best  return  home  from  this  point. 
It  shall  not  be  counted  against  you  as 
deserters,  for  the  names  of  those  who  are 
unwilling  to  serve  cheerfully  will  be  stricken 
quietly  from  the  rolls,  without  any  mention 
whatever,  dishonorable  or  otherwise.  Colo- 
nel Arnold  presents  himself  with  due 
authority  from  the  province  of  Massa- 
chusetts to  take  command  of  any  troops  not 
exceeding  four  hundred  which  may  be  raised 
for  the  purpose  of  attacking  Fort  Ticon- 
deroga.    Under  all  the  circumstances  he  has 


104  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

decided  to  wave  his  claim  of  rank  and  act  as 
volunteer  until  the  purpose  for  which  we 
have  advanced  be  accomplished.  Now,  then, 
those  cf  you  who  cannot  obey  my  orders, 
step  to  the  right." 

The  Green- Mountain  Boys  began  to  raise 
shouts  of  approval,  but  their  colonel  checked 
them  by  saying  sternly : 

** Silence  in  the  ranks!  Let  no  man  dare 
give  voice  to  his  approval  or  disapproval  of 
what  may  occur  in  this  encampment!" 

It  was  as  if  Colonel  Easton  believed  some 
of  his  men  might  take  •  advantage  of  the 
opportunity,  and  stepping  quickly  to  the 
side  of  Allen,  he  said: 

**Lads,  when  the  question  came  up  last 
night  as  to  who  should  lead  this  expedition, 
I  cast  the  first  vote  for  Colonel  Allen.  He  is 
a  soldier  of  much  experience  and  great 
ability.    It  is  my  earnest  desire  that  he  take 


"  SILENCE  IN  THE  RANKS!  "  THE  COLONEL  SAID  STERNLY. 

Corporal  'Li(je''s  Htcruit,  p.  lOh, 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  105 

upon  himself  the  responsibility  of  directing 
our  movements,  and  whatsoever  he  orders 
shall  be  performed  by  me  faithfully  and 
promptly." 

Colonel  Arnold  made  no  attempt  to  address 
his  men,  and  the  three  officers  stood  in 
silence  several  moments,  after  which  Allen 
said: 

**  Because  none  of  you  have  signified  your 
desire  to  be  relieved  from  the  enlistment, 
we  will  suppose  all  are  willing  to  go  forward, 
and  from  now  out  there  can  be  no  excuse 
for  insubordination  or  hesitation." 

This  said,  the  oflScers  withdrew  once  more, 
and  now  that  their  colonel  was  no  longer 
there  to  check  them  the  Green  Mountain 
Boys  set  up  a  shout  of  triumph,  which  was 
answered  by  derisive  yells  from  Corporal 
'Lige's  troop,  and  apparent  indiff'erence  by 
the  men  from  Stockbridge. 


106  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

*'I  reckon  I  may  as  well  go  home  now," 
Nathan  said  in  a  low  tone  to  Isaac.  **  There 
don't  seem  to  be  any  chance  of  a  row  be- 
cause the  men  are  going  to  give  in  easy 
enough;  but  I'd  like  to  see  'em  find  their 
way  into  the  fort.  It  ain't  so  easy  as  they're 
countin'  on." 

**Who  is  this  boy,  Isaac?"  Corporal  'Lige 
asked  as  he  stepped  toward  the  lads,  ap- 
parently glad  of  an  opportunity  to  disengage 
himself  from  those  who  had  shown  they  were 
ready  to  obey  his  commands. 

Isaac  gave  such  explanation  as  was  within 
his  power,  and  the  old  man  asked,  address- 
ing Nathan: 

•*What  do  you  know  about  Fort  Ticon- 
deroga?" 

The  boy  made  reply  much  as  he  had  to 
Isaac,  and  the  corporal  questioned  him 
sharply: 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  107 

**Have  you  been  allowed  to  roam  over  the 
fortification  at  will?" 

*' There  was  no  reason  why  I  shouldn't.  I 
know  all  the  boys  who  live  in  the  fort,  an' 
after  I  finished  what  I  went  for,  who'd  stop 
us  from  goin'  'round?" 

**How    many  soldiers  are  there    in   the 
place?" 

** Somewhere  about  fifty,  I  should  think." 

** Women  and  children?" 

**Yes,  'most  twice  as  many,  I  reckon, 
though  I  never  counted  'em." 

*'And  you  say  you  know  all  the  ins  and 
outs  of  the  fort?" 

**Look  here,  how  many  times  do  you  want 
me  to  tell  you?  Of  course  I  do;  but  what's 
that  got  to  do  with  you?" 

Nathan  spoke  in  such  a  disrespectful  tone 
that  Isaac  literally  trembled  lest  the  corporaL 
should  fall  upon  him  in  his  wrath. 


108  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

**Wait  you  here  till  I  come  back,  an'  see  to 
it  that  you  don't  move  from  this  spot." 

The  corporal  gave  this  command  in  his 
sternest  tones,  and  without  waiting  for  a 
reply  hastened  off  in  the  direction  where  the 
officers  had  disappeared,  while  Nathan  stood 
looking  at  his  new  acquaintance  in  mingled 
surprise  and  bewilderment. 

**Now,  what  does  that  old  man  mean  when 
he  tells  me  to  wait  here?  What  right's  he 
got  to  order  me  'round?" 

**Don't  get  disgruntled,"  Isaac  said  im- 
ploringly. **I  tell  you  he's  a  great  soldier, 
and  you'll  see  that  his  order  means  some- 
thing, 'cause  the  corporal  don't  make  foolish 
talk." 

**  Then,  what  was  it  I  heard  when  I  come 
up  here  an'  he  was  tellin'  the  men  what  to 
do,  but  backed  down  after  findin'  they  were 
ready  to  follow  him?" 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  109 

**That  part  of  it  was  all  right.  The  time 
hadn't  come  for  him  to  carry  out  his  plans, 
and  he  explained  it.  Couldn't  you  hear 
him?" 

**I  heard  what  he  said;  but  that  didn't 
deceive  me." 

Then  Isaac  explained  with  many  a  detail 
why  the  old  man  was  the  ablest  soldier  in 
the  encampment,  and  while  he  was  trying  to 
convince  the  skeptical  Nathan,  Corporal 
'Lige  returned,  looking  very  important  and 
mysterious. 

** You're  to  come  with  me,"  he  said  tap- 
ping Nathan  on  the  shoulder. 

**Where?"  the  boy  asked  sharply. 

**I  said  you  were  to  come  with  me." 

**Well,  you  may  say  it  again  before  I  go.  I 
want  to  know  what  you're  thinkin'  of  doin'. 
I  ain't  one  of  these  make-believe  soldiers  that 
can  be  ordered  'round  by  such  as  you," 


110  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

During  an  instant  the  corporal  glowered  at 
the  boy  as  if  of  a  mind  to  chastise  him  for 
his  too  familiar  words,  and  then  Isaac  inter- 
posed to  save  his  new-found  friend  from 
what  he  feared  would  be  most  severe  punish- 
ment. 

"He'll  go  with  you,  Corporal  'Lige;  don't 
be  angry  with  him.  You  see  he's  a  stranger 
here,  an'  doesn't  understand  what " 

**I  understand  enough  not  to  go  till  I  know 
what  he's  about,"  Nathan  cried  angrily, 
wrenching  himself  free  from  Isaac's  detain- 
ing grasp  and  leaping  back  a  few  paces. 

The  corporal  clapped  his  hand  to  his  side 
as  if  to  raise  a  sword,  and  then  realizing  that 
he  had  no  such  weapon,  said  in  a  remarkably 
conciliatory  tone: 

**I  told  Colonel  Allen  that  you  were  well 
acquainted  with  the  interior  of  the  fort,  and 
he  would  speak  with  you  a  few  moments." 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  HI 

*'Well,  if  you'd  said  that  in  the  first  place 
I  would  have  been  willing;  but  when  you 
jumped  down  on  me  as  if  I  was  one  of  these 
recruits,  I  wasn't  goin'  to  stand  it." 

'*If  you  are  willin'  to  come,  follow  me." 

*'Am  I  to  go  with  you?"  Isaac  asked 
pleadingly,  and  the  corporal  hesitated  an 
instant  before  replying : 

**Yes,  lad,  I  don't  reckon  it'll  do  any 
harm,  and  it  may  give  you  an  insight  into  the 
way  we  manage  military  afi'airs." 


112  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

A    SQUAD    OF     FOUB. 

Isaac  was  in  high  glee  at  thus  being  per- 
mitted to  visit  headquarters,  for  even  though 
he  v^ent  there  only  by  permission  of  Corporal 
'Lige  and  not  because  his  presence  was 
desired,  it  seemed  to  him  that  it  was  in  a 
certain  degree  a  recognition  of  the  possible 
fact  that  he  was  really  a  soldier. 

Nathan  Beman,  however,  did  not  appear  to 
think  there  was  any  compliment  in  the  invi- 
tation. Naturally  of  a  suspicious  nature,  he 
fancied  in  some  way  this  visit  might  work  to 
his  harm,  and,  in  addition,  he  was  displeased 
by  the  air  of  superiority  which  was  observa- 
ble in  the  corporal  when  he  addressed  any 
remark  to  the  lad. 


'  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  113 

The  old  soldier  walked  several  paces  in 
advance  of  the  boys,  and  did  not  appear  to 
think  it  necessary  he  should  look  around  to 
see  if  they  were  following,  for  in  his  mind  a 
request  to  visit  headquarters  was  the  same 
as  an  imperative  command,  and  one  which 
no  sane  person  would  venture  to  disobey. 

**I  suppose  he  thinks  he  can  tow  me 
'round  wherever  he  likes,  and  I've  got  a 
mind  to  show  him  he  can't,"  Nathan  said  to 
Isaac,  motioning  with  his  thumb  toward  the 
corporal. 

"It's  Colonel  Allen  who  wants  to  see 
you,"  Isaac  ventured  to  suggest  timidly. 

**How  do  you  know?" 

"Why  Corporal  'Lige  said  so." 

"I  ain't  certain  that  makes  it  true,  'cause 
he's  said  a  good  many  things  that  don't 
amount  to  much  since  I've  been  around  this 
place*" 


114  CORPORAL   LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

**But  the  corporal  wouldn't  lie,"  Isaac  said 
solemnly,  and  Nathan  added  with  a  peculiar 
smile: 

**0h,  no,  he  wouldn't  lie!" 

**See  here,  what  have  you  got  against  the 
corporal?" 

*'Me?  Why  should  I  have  anything 
against  him?" 

*' That's  what  puzzles  me;  but  it  seems  as 
though  you  didn't  think  very  much  of  him." 

''Neither  do  I.  I've  seen  soldiers  up 
'round  Ticonderoga,  not  make-believes  like 
the  old  man,  who  is  all  talk  an'  no  sub- 
stance." 

Isaac's  face  flushed.  He  was  not  disposed 
to  let  this  stranger  make  sport  of  Corporal 
'Lige,  whom  he  knew  was  thoroughly  versed 
in  the  art  of  warfare,  and  a  brave  man 
withal;  but  before  he  had  decided  in  his  own 
mind  how  the  most  telling  reproof  could  be 


'BUT  THE  CORPORAL  WOULDN'T  LIE,"  ISAAC  SAID  SOLEMNLY. 

Corporal  'Liges  Recruit,  p.  Ilk. 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  115 

administered,  they  arrived  at  headquarters, 
which  was  neither  more  nor  less  than  a  shel- 
ter built  of  pine  boughs,  situate  so  far  from 
the  main  encampment  as  to  afford  some 
degree  of  seclusion. 

Isaac  judged  from  the  eager  look  on  the 
faces  of  the  oflScers  that  this  visit  was  con- 
sidered by  them  of  more  importance  than  it 
was  by  Nathan,  and  instantly  Corporal  'Lige 
saluted,  Colonel  Allen  asked: 

**Are  both  the  lads  acquainted  with  the 
fort?" 

**No,  colonel;  here  is  the  one  who  lives  up 
Shoreham  way,"  and  he  touched  Nathan  on 
the  shoulder.  **This,"  he  added,  motioning 
toward  Isaac,  **is  a  recruit  I  have  taken 
under  my  protection." 

It  was  evident  that  Colonel  Allen  came 
nearer  Nathan's  standard  of  a  soldier  than 
Corporal  'Lige,  for  he  stood  in  a  respectful 


116  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

attitude  before  the  officer  as  if  recognizing 
the  latter's  right  to  question  him. 

**Is  your  father  alive?"  the  colonel  asked. 

**Yes,  sir;  he  owns  a  farm  up  on  the  lake." 

**How  often  have  you  visited  the  fort 
within  the  past  year?" 

** Mostly  twice  a  week,  sir;  never  less  than 
once." 

**Then  you  are  sufficiently  well  acquainted 
with  the  troops  to  be  able  to  gain  admission 
at  any  time?" 

**Yes,  sir;  father  sells  a  lot  of  truck  there, 
an'  I  mostly  carry  it  over." 

"Are  you  known  to  Captain  Delaplace?" 

**Yes,  sir,  and  his  wife  as  well." 

**What  brought  you  here,  lad?" 

**We  heard  it  said  there  was  a  lot  of  sol- 
diers marchin'  up  this  way,  and  I  didn't  have 
much  of  anything  to  do,  so  come  down  to 
have  a  look  at  'em." 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  117 

**Is  it  generally  known  near  about  where 
you  live  that  troops  are  marching  toward  the 
fort?" 

*'I  don't  think  so,  sir.  Simon  York,  a 
trapper,  told  father,  and  it  was  agreed 
between  them  that  nothing  should  be  spoken 
about  it  lest  the  news  get  out." 

**Do  you  know  how  many  soldiers  there 
are  in  the  fort  now?" 

**Near  about  fifty,  sir." 

**Hark  you,  lad,  are  you  minded  to  do  a 
service  for  those  who  would  strike  a  blow 
against  the  king?" 

**I  suppose  that  would  depend  on  what  it 
was,  an'  how  much  I'd  make  out  of  it," 
Nathan  replied  cautiously. 

**Then  you  are  not  of  the  mind  to  do  any- 
thing toward  establishing  the  independence 
of  the  colonies— it  is  simply  a  question  of 
shillings  and  pence?" 


118  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

**Well,  sir,  perhaps  it  is  something  like 
that,"  Nathan  replied,  growing  confused. 
*' Father  thinks  since  the  news  came  from 
Concord  and  Lexington  that  all  the  provin- 
cials ought  to  turn  to  and  show  their  mettle ; 
but  mother  says  so  long  as  the  king's  troops 
buy  truck  and  pay  good  prices  for  it,  it  is  our 
business  to  see  that  we  don't  take  the  bread 
and  butter  out  of  our  own  mouths." 

**I  understand;  yours  is  what  might  be 
called  a  divided  household,"  and  Colonel 
Allen  looked  around  with  a  smile  at  his 
companions. 

**I  guess  I  don't  know  what  you  mean  by 
that,  sir;  but  things  our  way  are  about  as  I 
have  told  you." 

Corporal  'Lige  glowered  at  the  boy  who 
thus  unblushingly  announced  that  he  meas- 
red  his  patriotism  by  its  value  in  money,  and 
Isaac  wondered  that  a  lad  so  young  could 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  119 

talk  thus  pertly  to  one  as  high  in  authority 
as  was  Colonel  Ethan  Allen. 

**If  you  should  be  paid  six  shillings,  would 
you  be  willing  to  guide  one  of  these  gentle- 
men into  the  fort  and  come  back  with  him  to 
where  our  troops  might  then  be  stationed?" 

**  Which  one  wants  to  go?"  Nathan  asked, 
not  intending  to  commit  himself  until  the 
full  details  were  given. 

**This  gentleman,"  and  Colonel  Allen 
pointed  toward  Master  Phelps,  one  of  the 
Committee  from  the  Connecticut  Assembly. 

Nathan  looked  at  him  critically  a  moment, 
and  then  asked,  as  if  suspicious  some  portion 
of  the  plan  was  being  kept  secret  from  him : 

**Does  he  want  to  see  Captain  Delaplace?" 

**He  simply  wishes  to  view  the  fort,  and  it 
would  be  necessary  you  should  pretend  he 
was  a  neighbor  who  had  come  with  no  other 
motive  than  that  of  curiosity." 


120  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

**  You  couldn't  pass  him  off  for  any  neigh- 
bor of  our'n." 

*'Why  not?" 
i.    **'Cause  he's  dressed  too  fine,  an'  his  face 
is  so  pale  that  anybody'd  know  he  didn't  live 
'round  here." 

**  All  that  may  be  readily  changed,"  Master 
Phelps  interrupted.  **ril  promise  to  look  so 
nearly  like  one  of  your  neighbors  that  there 
shall  be  no  question  raised." 

**When  do  I  get  the  six  shillings?"  Nathan 
asked. 

**  After  you  have  performed  the  work  faith- 
fully to  the  extent  of  bringing  Master  Phelps 
back  to  me,"  Colonel  Allen  replied,  now 
speaking  quite  sharply.  **It  would  be  a 
serious  matter  indeed  if  you  were  to  betray 
him  to  the  commandant  of  the  fort,  or  indi- 
cate that  this  body  of  men  are  near  at  hand." 

•*If  I  take  the  six  shillings,  I'll  earn  '  em. 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  121 

It's  none  of  my  business  where  you  folks 
are,  nor  what's  goin'  on  'round  the  fort;  all 
I'm  looking  after  is  the  cash  I  can  make." 

*'Will  you  undertake  the  task?" 

**Yes,"  Nathan  replied,  and  then,  as  if  a 
sudden  thought  had  come  to  him,  added: 

**I  will  if  this  boy  goes  along  too." 

**Is  he  a  friend  of  yours?" 

**I  don't  s'pose  so,  'cause  I  never  saw  him 
before;  but  it's  goin'  to  be  mighty  pokey  all 
alone  with  a  man  like  him,"  and  Nathan 
pointed  to  Master  Phelps. 

At  this  point  Corporal  'Lige  stepped  for- 
ward and  saluted,  thus  attracting  the  col- 
onel's attention,  after  which  he  motioned 
toward  the  outside  as  if  to  ask  for  a  private 
interview. 

The  colonel  immediately  left  the  hut, 
followed  by  the  corporal,  and  Nathan  looked 
after  them  suspiciously,  whispering  to  Isaac: 


1!^$  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

**Now,  what  do  you  s'pose  that  old  imita- 
tion soldier  is  up  to?  He  mustn't  try  to  get 
the  best  of  me." 

**You  needn't  be  afraid  Corporal  'Lige  will 
do  anything  that's  wrong,  'cause  he's  an 
honest  man,  an'  no  imitation  of  a  soldier; 
but  a  true  one." 

**I  ain't  so  certain  about  all  that;  but  you 
seem  to  have  a  pretty  good  idea  of  him,  so 
perhaps  he  is  half-way  decent  after  all." 

At  his  point  the  old  soldier  and  the  colonel 
returned,  the  latter  saying  when  he  was 
inside  the  hut  once  more : 

**In  order  that  you  may  have  no  lack  of 
company  I  propose  that  Master  Phelps, 
Corporal  Watkins,  and  the  lad  all  go  with 
you." 

**Who's  Watkins?"  Nathan  whispered  to 
Isaac. 

**Why,  that's  Corporal  'Lige,  of  course." 


CORPORAL  'LiaE'S  HECRtJiT.  123 

**I  knew  he  was  stickin'  his  nose  into  it 
some  way.'* 

** You'll  be  glad  to  have  him,  'cause  he's 
jest  as  good  as  he  can  be  after  you  get 
acquainted." 

Nathan  remained  silent  a  few  seconds,  and 
then  asked  abruptly : 

**When  does  the  crowd  want  to  go?" 

**At  once.  It  should  be  possible  to  visit 
the  fort  before  sunset." 

**Well,  that's  accordin'  to  how  fast  they 
can  walk ;  but  if  they  start,  an'  don't  get 
there  in  time,  father'll  keep  them  overnight 
without  chargin'  more'n  what's  right  for 
the  lodgings." 

** Very  well;  you  may  make  ready  to  set 
out  immediately,  and  when  you  have 
returned  the  money  shall  be  paid  you." 

**I'm  ready  now." 

**  Master  Phelps  will  need  a  few  moments 


tU  CORPOtlAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

in  which  to  prepare  himself  for  the  journey, 
and  I  doubt  not  but  that  the  corporal  and  his 
comrade  have  some  belongings  which  they 
will  want  to  take  with  them.  Remain  you 
here,  lad,  until  the  others  have  made  all 
necessary  preparations  and  are  in  condition 
for  the  journey." 

This  was  a  command  which  Nathan  could 
not  well  disobey;  but  he  looked  toward 
Isaac  while  the  latter  was  hurried  away  by 
Corporal  'Lige,  as  if  there  were  yet  other 
questions  concerning  this  project  which  he 
would  like  to  ask. 

**Don't  turn  back,  lad,"  the  old  soldier  said 
when  his  protege  made  a  move  as  if  to 
return.  **  There's  to  be  no  time  lost,  and 
you'll  have  good  opportunity  for  talking 
once  we're  on  the  road." 

**How  did  it  happen  the  colonel  sent  you 
and  me?"  Isaac  asked  when  the  two  were 


CORPORAL  'LiaE'S  RECRUIT.  i;25 

SO  far  from  headquarters  that  his  words 
could  not  be  overheard. 

*' That's  owing  to  the  hint  I  gave  Colonel 
Allen  when  that  young  skinflint  made  his 
talk.  A  lad  who  won't  take  sides  in  this 
matter  'twixt  the  colonies  and  the  king,  but 
holds  out  for  whatever  money  he  can  get,  is 
not  to  be  trusted,  accordin'  to  my  way  of 
thinkin'.  While  he  was  settin'  himself  down 
for  a  cold-blooded,  close-fisted  specimen  of 
humanity  such  as  you  wouldn't  look  for  in 
one  so  young,  I  made  up  my  mind  that  there 
had  best  be  a  sharp  watch  kept  of  him,  else 
a  word  or  two  might  be  dropped  at  the  fort 
which  would  upset  all  our  plans." 

*'Do  you  believe  he  would  take  Colonel 
Allen's  money  and  then  betray  him?" 

**I  am  certain  a  lad  who  would  haggle  for 
six  shillings  under  such  circumstances  as 
this  would  sell  out  to  the  next  man  who 


126  CORPORAL  'LlOE'S  RECRUIT. 

offered  half  as  much  more,  and  the  colonel 
was  of  the  same  mind  after  I'd  mentioned 
the  matter." 

**I  don't  see  why  I  should  go." 

**Don't  you  want  to?"  the  corporal  asked 
in  surprise. 

**0f  course  it  would  be  more  pleasant  than 
marching  with  the  troops ;  but  still  I  can't 
understand  what  good  it  is  possible  for  me  to 
do." 

**Ldon't  reckon  you  will  be  of  any  service; 
but  the  boy  had  taken  a  notion  to  have  you 
with  him,  so  it  seemed  like  a  good  chance  for 
me  to  put  my  oar  in,  and  between  the  two  of 
us  I  reckon  he  won't  have  much  show  of 
playing  double." 

In  a  very  few  seconds  the  corporal  and 
Isaac  had  made  their  preparations  for  the 
journey,  which  simply  consisted  in  gathering 
up  all  their  belongings,  much  to  the  surprise 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  127 

of  the  lad,  who  questioned  whether,  if  they 
were  to  go  to  the  fort  apparently  from 
motives  of  curiosity,  it  was  well  they  carried 
muskets. 

"If  it  seems  necessary  we  can  leave  them 
where  this  boy  lives;  but  it  is  certain  we 
cannot  depend  on  any  one  else  bringing  our 
luggage  along  for  us,  so  take  what  we  own, 
lad,  an'  then  be  at  home  wherever  we  stop." 

When  the  two  returned  to  headquarters 
they  found  Master  Phelps  awaiting  their 
coming,  and  Nathan  kept  close  and  sus- 
picious watch  upon  each  person  and  every- 
thing within  his  range  of  vision. 

The  messenger  from  the  General  Assembly 
had  made  a  very  decided  change  in  his 
personal  appearance,  and  Isaac  was  forced 
to  look  twice  before  feeling  positive  this  was 
the  same  Master  Phelps  whom  he  had  seen 
a  few  moments  before. 


128  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

Now  he  was  clad  after  the  fashion  of  a 
farmer,  in  garments  which  he  had  probably 
borrowed  from  some  member  of  the  troop; 
his  face  was  browned  and  soiled,  while  his 
hands  were  exceedingly  dirty,  and  even 
Nathan  must  have  been  satisfied  that  the 
commandant  of  the  fort  would  not  see  in 
this  visitor  other  than  he  professed  to  be. 

**If  that  lad  had  a  trifle  more  sense  he'd 
understand  there  wasn't  anything  to  be 
gained  by  deceiving  him,"  the  corporal  said 
in  a  low  tone  to  Isaac;  **but  he's  so  self- 
opinionated  he  thinks  everybody  is  plotting 
mischief  against  him." 

**You  don't  seem  to  like  him  very  well," 
Isaac  ventured  to  say,  and  Corporal  'Lige 
replied  emphatically: 

''Neither  do  I." 

*'Then  unless  he  an'  I  go  off"  by  ourselves, 
I  don't  reckon  this  will  be  a  very  pleasant 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  129 

journey,"  Isaac  said  to  himself  as  he  thought 
of  the  corporal  and  Nathan,  each  distrusting 
and  making  complaint  against  the  other. 

Colonel  Allen  was  determined  there  should 
be  no  delay  in  the  setting  out  of  this  spying 
expedition,  and  immediately  the  corporal  and 
Isaac  showed  themselves  he  insisted  that  the 
little  party  start  without  further  loss  of  time. 

Young  Beman  at  once  showed  his  prefer- 
ence as  to  a  traveling  companion,  for  he 
ranged  himself  by  Isaac's  side,  and  when  the 
corporal  would  have  joined  them,  said  curtly: 

'*  You'd  better  keep  back  with  the  other 
man.  I  s'pose  I'll  have  to  lead  the  way, 
and  when  we  strike  off  the  main  road  the 
path  ain't  wide  enough  for  more  than  two." 

**Don't  the  highway  lead  to  Shoreham?'* 
the  corporal  asked  suspiciously. 

**Yes;  but  we  can  save  more'n  four  miles 
by  cuttin'  through  the  woods,"  and  Nathan 


130  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

hurried  Isaac  on  as  a  means  both  of  putting 
an  end  to  the  corporal's  inquiries,  and  forc- 
ing him  to  join  Master  Phelps. 

Once  the  journey  was  well  begun  young 
Beman  presented  himself  in  a  more  favorable 
light. 

He  ceased  to  refer  to  the  corporal  as  an 
** imitation  soldier,"  and  gave  no  further 
evidence  of  being  suspicious ;  but  qestioned 
Isaac  as  to  what  the  town  of  Pittsfield  was 
like,  and  concerning  Boston,  where  young 
Rice  had  visited  two  years  previous  in  com- 
pany with  his  father. 

Master  Phelps  was  not  accustomed  to  this 
method  of  traveling,  and  when  the  guide 
struck  into  the  woods  where  the  trail  lead 
alternately  over  a  hilly  and  swampy  country 
he  was  soon  forced  to  declare  that  he  could 
not  proceed  at  such  a  rapid  pace. 

'*You  will  have  to  slacken  up  a  bit,"  Cor- 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  131 

poral  'Lige  shouted,  **for  the  gentleman  ain't 
used  to  this  kind  of  footin'." 

**We  can't  go  very  slow,  else  we  shan't  get 
to  the  fort  before  sunset,"  Nathan  replied 
indifferently,  and  Master  Phelps  said  in  a 
tone  which  admitted  of  no  argument: 

**It  isn't  possible  for  me  to  keep  pace  with 
you.  If  it  so  be  we  fail  to  finish  the  journey 
before  dark,  we  can  take  lodgings  with  your 
father  and  accomplish  our  purpose  early  to- 
morrow morning." 

The  prospect  of  introducing  to  his  father 
guests  who  would  pay  for  all  they  received, 
was  so  satisfactory  to  young  Beman  that  he 
made  no  protest  at  being  thus  forced  to 
slacken  pace.  It  may  be  he  was  unneces- 
sarily slow  from  this  time  out,  for  it  was 
already  dark  when  they  arrived  at  the  guide's 
home,  and  Nathan  said  to  Master  Phelps 
before  entering  the  building : 


132  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT 

**ril  tell  father  you  folks  want  to  stay  all 
night,  and  that's  as  much  as  I  need  say.  If 
you  count  on  explaining  why  you  have  come, 
it's  none  of  my  business.  The  officer  what 
hired  me  said  I  was  to  keep  quiet  about 
everything  I'd  seen  down  to  the  camp,  so  1 
might  as  well  begin  by  holding  my  tongue." 

Then  Nathan  ushered  the  guests  into  the 
kitchen,  where  was  found  Mr.  Beman  sitting 
by  the  fireplace,  for  the  night  had  grown 
cold'  and  chill,  while  his  wife  was  preparing 
the  supper. 

**Here  are  some  travelers  who  want  to  stay 
all  night,"  Nathan  announced,  and  added  in 
a  lower  tone  to  Isaac,  **Come  out  to  the  barn 
with  me  while  I  do  my  chores;  there's  no 
fun  in  sittin'  here." 

Five  minutes  later  the  three  men  followed 
the  boys,  and  Isaac  fancied  it  was  Master 
Phelps'  intention  to  explain  to  the  farmer  the 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  133 

purpose  of  their  coining,  but  that  he  feared 
to  do  so  in  the  presence  of  the  mistress  of 
the  household,  who,  if  her  son  had  quoted 
her  words  correctly,  favored  the  king's 
representatives  rather  than  the  colonists  in 
the  doings  which  had  lately  arisen. 

Nathan  took  good  care  that  his  new  friend 
should  perform  a  full  share  of  the  evening's 
work,  and  Isaac  assisted  in  milking  the  cows, 
carrying  water,  and  chopping  wood  until  he 
had  of  a  surety  earned  as  bountiful  a  spread 
as  could  be  set  before  him. 

The  farmer  and  his  guests  did  not  appear 
until  they  had  been  summoned  twice  after 
the  appetizing  meal  was  placed  upon  the 
table,  and  while  she  was  impatiently  await- 
ing them,  Mrs.  Beman  questioned  her  son 
sharply  as  to  what  business  his  father  could 
have  with  the  strangers. 

For  a.  time  Nathan  avoided  making  any 


134  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

direct  answer ;  but  when  his  mother  pressed 
him  closely  he  answered  her  quite  as  pertly 
as  he  had  Colonel  Allen,  by  saying: 

**I'm  to  be  paid  for  holdin'  my  tongue 
about  whatever  is  goin'  on — I'll  have  six 
shillings  by  this  time  to-morrow  night,  an'  I 
can't  afford  to  talk  to  anybody." 

**Six  shillings  just  for  holding  your  tongue, 
Nathan?" 

**Well,  it's  for  that  an'  a  little  more;  but  I 
ain't  goin'  to  make  any  talk,  so  if  you  want 
me  to  earn  the  money  you'd  better  stop 
askin'  questions." 

**Is  your  father  going  to  get  as  much?" 

**I  don't  know  anything  about  his  trades; 
it's  all  I  can  do  to  take  care  of  my  own,  an' 
work  'em  through  accordin'  to  the  agree- 
ment, when  there's  so  much  questionin'  goin' 
on,"  Nathan  replied  quite  sharply,  and  his 
mother,  who  was  evidently  as  prudent  as 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  I35 

himself  in  financial  matters,  desisted  from 
pressing  him   further. 

After  this  brief  conversation  Isaac  felt 
positive  Corporal  'Lige  need  have  no  fear 
regarding  possible  treachery  on  Nathan's 
part,  for  if  the  boy  refused  to  tell  his  mother 
he  surely  would  be  close-mouthed  in  the 
presence  of  others. 

When  the  party  finally  made  their  appear- 
ance and  were  seated  at  the  supper  table,  the 
three  men  evidently  on  the  best  of  terms 
with  each  other,  Mrs.  Beman's  curiosity  was 
still  further  aroused,  as  was  but  natural. 
Yet  no  word  was  dropped  during  the  prog- 
ress of  the  meal,  nor  so  long  as  the  guests 
remained  downstairs,  which  could  have  given 
her  the  slightest  clew. 

It  was  Nathan's  purpose  to  have  Isaac  for 
a  bed-fellow;  but  to  this  his  mother  made 
emphatic    protest,   and  when   the  time  for 


136  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

retiring  came  the  three  guests  were  con- 
ducted to  a  room  adjoining  the  kitchen,  while 
the  farmer's  family  retired  to  the  loft  above. 

Then  it  was  in  cautious  whispers  that  Isaac 
told  the  corporal  why  he  felt  confident  there 
was  no  danger  Nathan  would  betray  them, 
and  the  old  soldier  said  grimly : 

**He  didn't  have  a  fair  test  when  he  was 
talking  with  his  mother,  'cause  there  was  no 
chance  she  would  pay  him  for  the  informa- 
tion. What  I'm  afeared  of  is  that  some  one 
may  offer  him  more  than  Colonel  Allen  did, 
an'  then  I'll  go  bail  everything  he  knows 
will  come  out  in  short  order." 

**I  don't  believe  he  would  do  other  than  he 
has  agreed." 

"Well,  lad,  you  hold  to  that  opinion,  an' 
I'll  have  my  own,  an'  'twixt  the  two  of  us  I 
reckon  he  won't  be  able  to  do  any  mischief. 
His  father  is  a  proper  kind  of  man ;  holds  to 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  137 

it  that  the  colonists  are  right  in  making  war 
against  the  king,  and  stands  ready  to  do  all 
he  can  in  furtherance  of  the  cause.  There- 
fore if  this  young  jack-a-napes  holds  himself 
too  high  an'  mighty  in  the  mornin'  we  shan't 
be  wholly  in  his  power." 

When  day  dawned,  however.  Corporal  'Lige 
had  no  reason  to  complain  of  Nathan. 

The  lad  showed  himself  of  the  mind  to  earn 
the  six  shillings,  and  now  that  he  was  at 
home,  appeared  less  suspicious  of  his  com- 
panion's intentions. 

Perhaps  this  was  due  in  part  to  the  fact 
that  his  father,  well  knowing  what  the 
visitors  would  have,  took  it  upon  himself  to 
give  the  guide  positive  instructions,  and  at 
an  early  hour  Nathan  set  out  accompanied 
by  Master  Phelps. 

It  was  his  intention  that  Isaac  should  be 
one  of  the  party ;  but  to  this  the  farmer  made 


138^  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

decided  objections,  insisting  that  more  than 
one  stranger  might  cause  suspicion,  and 
therefore  it  was  that  Corporal  'Lige  and  his 
pupil  remained  quietly  at  the  farm  until  noon 
of  that  day,  when  the  delegate  from  the  Con- 
necticut Assembly  returned  well  pleased 
with  what  he  had  seen. 

In  a  private  conversation  held  with  the 
corporal  he  reported  that  strong  though  the 
fortification  was,  the  walls  were  in  a  state 
of  great  dilapidation;  few,  if  any,  precau- 
tions taken  against  surprise ;  military  disci- 
pline was  hardly  known,  and  the  sentinels 
in  particular  were  remiss  in  their  duty. 

Master  Phelps  had  no  difficulty  in  making 
such  investigations  as  he  chose,  and  declared 
that  in  his  opinion,  providing  the  garrison 
could  be  taken  by  surprise,  there  was  nothing 
to  prevent  a  capture  of  the  fort. 

However,  in  order  that  all  this  might  be 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  139 

effected,  boats  were  necessary,  and  there 
was  not  a  sufficient  number  on  the  shores 
near  about  to  convey  one-tenth  of  the  men  in 
Colonel  Allen's  command. 

**It  is  well  you  have  come  with  me," 
Master  Phelps  said  to  the  corporal,  **for  while 
I  am  returning,  you  and  the  lad,  accom- 
panied by  the  farmer,  shall  set  about  seizing 
all  the  boats  which  may  be  found  in  this 
vicinity,  having  due  heed  to  your  move- 
ments, however,  lest  you  proceed  so  far  in 
the  direction  of  Crown  Point  as  to  arouse 
suspicions  in  that  quarter.  Work  as  expedi- 
tiously as  is  in  your  power,  for  the  troops 
will  arrive  here  not  later  than  midnight,  and 
it  is  absolutely  necessary  there  be  ready 
proper  craft  to  convey  them  across  the  lake." 
Then  Master  Phelps,  still  holding  to 
Nathan  as  a  guide,  set  off  to  meet  the  force, 
which  was  believed  to  be  rapidly  approach- 


140  CORPORAL  'LIGES  RECRUIT. 

ing,  and  the  farmer  said  impatiently  to  the 
corporal : 

**If  it  so  be,  sir,  you  count  on  carrying  out 
the  orders  given  'twixt  now  and  dark,  it  is 
time  for  us  to  be  moving,  for  boats  are  not 
plentiful  hereabout,  and  we  shall  have  a 
long  tramp  before  gathering  as  many  as 
will  carry  your  force  acrosSo" 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  141 


CHAPTER  VII. 

TICONDEEOGA. 

It  was  not  necessary  Farmer  Beman  should 
urge  Corporal  'Lige  to  make  haste  in  this 
matter  which  had  been  intrusted  to  him,  for 
the  old  soldier  understood  full  well  how 
necessary  it  was  that  means  of  transportation 
for  the  troops  should  be  at  hand  when  the 
men  arrived,  and  had  good  reason  to  believe 
that  such  task  as  was  assigned  him  could 
not  be  readily  performed. 

He  even  showed  himself  more  eager  in  the 
work  than  the  farmer,  for  when  the  latter 
would  have  delayed  in  order  to  eat  the  noon- 
day meal,  the  old  man  positively  refused  as 
he  said : 

**Wecan  have  dinner  after  Ticonderoga  has 


142  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

been  taken,  but  until  then  there  must  be  no 
thought  of  rest.  Although  as  I  understand, 
detachments  are  to  be  sent  to  Skenesborough 
and  Panton,  it  is  not  positive  they  can  get 
boats  from  there  to  this  point  in  time,  and 
we  must  act  as  if  believing  the  matter  of 
transportation  depended  wholly  upon  our- 
selves." 

Had  Nathan  been  there  to  witness  the  old 
man's  activity  after  some  special  work  had 
been  set  for  him,  he  might  have  changed  his 
opinion  about  the  corporal's  being  an  **imi- 
tation  soldier." 

He  walked  here  and  there,  tiring  his  com- 
panions almost  to  the  verge  of  exhaustion, 
and  yet  apparently  as  fresh  as  when  he 
began;  but  when  the  sun  set  he  had  only 
seventeen  boats  drawn  up  on  the  shore  at 
that  point  where  it  was  supposed  the  troops 
would  halt,  and  Isaac  believed  there  were 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  143 

absolutely  no  more  within  the  radius  of  a 
dozen  miles. 

**I  allow  you've  done  your  best,  corporal," 
Farmer  Beman  said  as  the  three  stood  look- 
ing ruefully  at  the  small  number  of  boats, 
many  of  which  would  be  loaded  to  the 
water's  edge  with  half  a  dozen  men,  **and  it 
now  stands  us  in  hand  to  get  supper,  con- 
siderin'  we  missed  our  dinner  so  com- 
pletely." 

** There  must  be  no  time  wasted.  Let 
Isaac  run  up  to  the  house  for  such  provisions 
as  your  wife  can  spare,  and  we'll  set  out  in 
some  other  direction,  for  every  craft  that  we 
add  to  this  'ere  lot  is  jest  so  much  gained." 

**You  may  set  out  in  as  many  directions  as 
you  choose ;  but  you  will  not  find  another 
boat  this  night,"  Farmer  Beman  said 
decidedly,  and  with  what  was  very  like  a 
show  of   ill- temper.    **I've   guided  you  to 


144  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

every  place  I  know  of,  and  if  you  are  so 
headstrong  as  to  keep  on  when  there's  little 
show  of  accomplishing  anything,  you  must 
go  alone." 

**And  that's  exactly  what  I  shall  do,"  the 
corporal  said  emphatically.  **Even  though  I 
knew  nothing  would  be  accomplished  I 
should  keep  on  workin'  until  the  force 
arrived,  'cause  it  isn't  for  me  to  set  down 
and  say  my  task  is  finished." 

**If  that's  your  idea  of  soldierin',  then  I'm 
mighty  glad  I  haven't  enlisted,"  and  the 
farmer  went  deliberately  to  his  home,  con- 
vinced, as  was  his  son,  that  the  old  corporal 
was  not  as  well  skilled  in  warfare  as  he 
would  have  it  appear. 

Even  Isaac  was  disposed  to  protest  against 
his  teacher's  decision,  and  urged  that  it  was 
little  less  than  folly  to  think  of  adding  to  the 
fleet,  for  Farmer  Bemau  had  declared  posi^ 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  145 

tively  there  were  no  more  boats  in  the 
vicinity. 

To  this  the  corporal  replied  with  some 
warmth,  and  there  might  have  been  a 
serious  undermining  of  friendship  had  not 
Nathan  arrived  just  at  that  moment. 

'*Well,  is  that  all  you've  done  this  after- 
noon?" he  asked  sharply,  and  the  corporal 
turned  on  him  fiercely. 

**Do  you  know  of  other  boats?" 

**  Seems  to  me  there's  more'n  a  hundred 
'round  here." 

•*Where  are  they?" 

Nathan  began  a  list,  mentioning  this 
neighbor  or  that,  and  as  often  seeing  among 
the  collection  the  craft  to  which  he  referred, 
until  finally  he  was  forced  to  admit  that  to 
the  best  of  his  knowledge  there  were  no  more. 

**I  thought  you  knew  of  more  than  a  hun- 
dred?" Corporal  'Lige  cried  fiercely. 


146  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

**That's  what  I  reckoned  myself ;  but  when 
I  come  to  figger  'em  up  they  wasn't  there." 

"You  come  with  us,  an'  it  may  be  we'll 
find  another." 

"What?  After  I've  walked  down  to 
Castleton  an'  back  to-day,  I  go  with  you  out 
rowin'?  It'll  take  more'n  six  shillings  to 
hire  me  to  do  anything  like  that  this  night ; 
besides  you  haven't  got  time  before  the 
troops  get  here." 

"How  near  are  they?"  Corporal  'Lige 
asked  in  alarm. 

"Well,  they  ought'er  be  showin'  up  by 
this  time,  for  I  wasn't  five  minutes  ahead  of 
'em,  and — there  they  are  now!" 

Nathan  pointed  to  a  group  of  men  who  had 
just  come  into  the  clearing  from  amid  the 
thicket,  and  as  the  old  man  looked  up  one  of 
the  party  motioned  for  him  to  approach. 

Although  Nathan  had  announced  that  he 


CORPORAL   LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  147 

was  nearly  exhausted  from  his  ardent  labors, 
his  weariness  was  not  so  great  as  his 
curiosity,  and  he  followed  the  corporal  and 
Isaac. 

It  was  Colonel  Arnold,  Colonel  Easton  and 
the  two  representatives  of  the  Connecticut 
Assembly,  who  had  thus  come  into  view,  and 
the  former,  after  explaining  to  Corporal 
'Lige  that  the  troops  had  been  halted  in  the 
thicket  lest  they  might  be  seen  from  the  fort 
even  in  the  gloom,  asked  concerning  the 
means  of  transportation. 

Chagrined  though  he  was  at  his  inability  to 
do  more,  the  corporal  was  forced  to  admit 
that  he  had  hardly  a  sufficient  number  of 
boats  to  take  over  seventy-five  or  eighty  of 
the  men;  but  this  the  colonel  did  not  at  the 
time  believe  to  be  of  great  importance,  for  it 
seemed  positive  Captain  Herrick  from 
Skenesborough,  and  Captain  Douglas  from 


148  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

Panton,    must   before  midnight  send    craft 
enough  to  transfer  the  entire  force. 

Therefore  it  was  that  the  leaders  of  the 
party  appeared  well  satisfied,  and  the  cor- 
poral must  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that 
he  had  fretted  himself  without  reasonable 
cause. 

**You  will  remain  in  charge  of  the  fleet," 
Colonel  Allen  said  to  the  old  soldier,  **with 
the  boy  to  act  as  your  lieutenant,  and  you 
may  detail  two  men  as  oarsmen  in  each 
boat.  We  will  set  out  as  soon  as  the 
remainder  of  the  craft  arrives." 

Then  it  was  that  Nathan  believed  he  saw 
an  opportunity  to  add  to  his  earnings  of  the 
day,  and  made  the  proposition  that  if  the 
further  sum  of  four  shillings  be  paid  him  he 
would  aid  in  ferrying  the  troops  across,  pro- 
viding the  work  could  be  finished  before 
midnight;  but  if  it  should  be  delayed  until 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  149 

morning  he  desired  to  be  paid  twice  that 
amount. 

No  one  seemed  disposed  to  take  advantage 
of  this  very  generous  offer;  now  that  his 
particular  portion  of  the  work  had  been  done, 
it  was  very  much  as  if  every  one  save  Isaac 
ignored  him. 

**That's  jest  the  way  with  these  people  from 
down  'round  Bennington.  They  get  all  they 
can  for  the  least  money,  an'  then  throw  you 
off.  I  ought  to  have  held  out  for  more'n  six 
shillings  when  I  took  that  Master  Phelps,  as 
you  call  him,  over  to  the  fort." 

**But  you  got  paid  very  well,"  Isaac 
suggested. 

**Yes,  so  far  as  it  went;  but  if  I'd  thought 
of  all  that's  going  on  I  would  have  put  up 
my  price,  or  held  out  half-hired  till  the 
business  was  over." 

Now  for  the  first  time  since  tteir  meeting 


150  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

did  Corporal  'Lige's  pupil  speak  sharply  to 
this  friend. 

**  You  should  be  ashamed  to  demand  money 
for  such  work  as  you  have  done  this  day," 
he  said  stoutly.  ** Whatever  resistance  be 
made  to  the  king  is  for  the  benefit  of  all  the 
colonies,  and  if  each  one  insisted  on  being 
paid,  as  you've  done,  his  majesty  might 
work  his  will,  for  there  would  be  none  to  say 
him  nay." 

Young  Beman  was  both  surprised  and 
injured  by  this  outburst. 

**That's  what  I  call  pretty  tough,  after  all 
I've  done  for  you!"  he  cried  sharply.  **If  it 
hadn't  been  for  me  you  wouldn't  have  got 
over  here  and  had  a  chance  of  staying  all 
night  in  our  house." 

**I  didn't  have  a  chance  without  paying  for 
it,  as  I  understand  Master  Phelps  is  to  settle 
with  your  father  for  our  accommodations." 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  151 

**Yes,  an'  just  before  I  come  away  mother 
told  me  she  thought  as  likely  as  not  fathered 
be  such  a  fool  as  to  refuse  to  take  a  cent; 
but  I  ain't  goin'  to  quarrel  with  you,  even  if 
I  have  been  defrauded  of  what  is  my  right. 
Come  up  to  the  house  an'  get  some  supper, 
won't  you?" 

**You  mean  that  I  shall  partake  of  the  food 
after  I  have  helped  you  do  the  chores?" 

**  Well,  yes,  something  like  that.  Of  course 
you  don't  expect  to  get  your  supper  for 
nothing." 

**No;  I'd  rather  go  without  than  do  more 
work  now  after  tramping  around  all  the  after- 
noon. There'll  be  something  in  the  way  of 
rations  found  in  camp,  an'  I'll  take  my 
chances  there." 

Young  Beman  turned  away  quickly  as  if 
angry  with  this  new  friend,  and  observing 
the  movement  Corporal  'Lige  asked  Isaac: 


162  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

**  What's  the  trouble  with  yon  skinflint? 
Haven't  been  quarrelin',  eh?" 

**I  think  I  have  seen  enough  of  a  lad  who 
must  be  paid  for  all  he  does  at  such  a  time," 
and  having  said  this  Isaac  went  in  search  of 
his  supper,  not  minded  to  make  further 
explanations. 

Weary  though  he  was,  the  lad  was  soon 
forced  to  aid  the  corporal  in  getting  the 
boats'  crews  together,  and  after  it  was  fully 
dark  those  selected  to  act  as  oarsmen  were 
marched  to  the  water's  edge,  that  they  might 
be  in  readiness  when  their  services  were 
required. 

After  this  there  was  nothing  to  be  done 
save  await  the  coming  of  the  expected  craft. 

The  men  were  not  allowed  to  build  fires 
lest  the  lights  should  be  seen  by  those  in  the 
fort,  and  so  cautious  was  the  leader  that 
even  loud  talking  was  forbidden,  therefore 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  153 

the  men  could  do  little  else  than  spend  the 
time  in  sleeping,  a  fact  by  no  means  dis- 
agreeable to  the  majority  after  their  march 
of  the  day. 

On  the  shore  of  the  lake  the  oarsmen 
followed  the  example  of  their  comrades  in 
the  woods,  until  all  save  the  corporal  and 
Isaac  were  wrapped  in  the  unconsciousness 
of  slumber. 

The  old  soldier,  considering  himself  re- 
sponsible for  the  safety  of  the  fleet,  would 
neither  lie  down  nor  allow  his  young  lieu- 
tenant to  do  so,  and  they  paced  to  and  fro  on 
the  sand  keeping  sharp  lookout  for  the 
expected  boats,  but  without  avail. 

Midnight  came,  and  yet  no  word  from 
either  of  the  two  detachments  which  had 
been  sent  in  search  of  means  of  transpor- 
tation. 

Colonel  Allen  and  Colonel  Arnold,  growing 


154  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

impatient  because  of  the  long  delay,  came  to 
the  shore,  and  Corporal  'Lige  stood  stiff  as 
the  barrel  of  his  own  musket  when  he 
saluted. 

**How  many  can  be  taken  in  the  boats  you 
have  here?"  Colonel  Arnold  asked. 

''Somewhere  about  eighty,  sir,  and  if  it  so 
be  you  give  the  word  we  can  ferry  the  whole 
party  across  in  three  trips." 

"That  would  never  do,"  Colonel  Arnold 
replied  decidedly.  "We  must  go  in  a  body 
or  give  up  all  hope   of   surprising  the  gar- 


rison." 


In  this  Colonel  Allen  was  agreed,  and  the 
two  officers  remained  near  at  hand,  now 
pacing  to  and  fro,  and  again  listening  intently 
for  those  sounds  which  would  tell  of  the 
hoped-for  arrival,  until  it  lacked  no  more 
than  two  hours  of  daybreak,  when  they  were 
joined  by  Master  Phelps  and  Colonel  Easton, 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  155 

the  latter  saying  sufficiently  loud  for  Isaac  to 
distinguish  the  words : 

'*  Unless  such  a  move  is  made  as  may  be 
possible  with  the  means  at  our  disposal,  the 
plan  of  capturing  the  fort  has  come  to  naught, 
for  it  isn't  reasonable  to  suppose  our  party  can 
remain  in  this  vicinity  throughout  to-morrow 
without  some  intimation  being  given  the 
commandant  by  those  who  live  in  the 
vicinity." 

What  was  evidently  a  conversation  be- 
tween the  officers  followed ;  but  it  was  con- 
ducted in  so  low  a  tone  that  Isaac  could  not 
hear  the  words,  and  he  Remained  near  at 
hand  expecting  to  receive  the  order  to  launch 
the  boats,  until  Colonel  Easton  called  him  by 
name. 

**You  know  where  is  situated  the  home  of 
the  lad  who  guided  Master  Phelps  into  the 
fort?" 


156  c6ri>oral  'LigU's  recruit. 

**0h,  yes,  sir;  it  is  but  a  short  distance 
from  here." 

**Go  you  there,  and  bring  the  boy." 

**I  question  if  he  will  come,  sir,  unless  I 
make  explanation  of  why  he  is  wanted,  or 
promise  that  he  shall  be  paid  for  thus  dis- 
turbing himself.  He  seems  to  have  no 
thought  save  of  money." 

** Yet,  his  father  is  with  us  in  this  matter, 
I  am  told,  so  far  as  opinion  goes." 

•Tes,  sir." 

*'Thengoand  rouse  the  lad;  if  he  refuses 
to  come,  say  to  the  father  that  Colonel  Allen 
requires  the  services  of  the  boy,  and  if  he 
answers  not  what  we  make  as  a  request, 
I  will  send  a  detachment  to  enforce  a 
demand." 

Isaac  obeyed  promptly,  not  finding  it  a 
simple  matter  to  make  his  way  across  the 
field  in  the  darkness ;  but  finally  succeeding 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  15? 

after  one  or  two  tumbles,  each  of  which  left 
their  marks  in  the  shape  of  a  scratch  or  con- 
tusion, and  with  the  first  knock  at  the  door 
he  heard  Farmer  Beman's  voice  asking  as  to 
who  was  there. 

**It  is  Isaac  Rice,  sir,  and  Colonel  Easton 
has  sent  me  to  say  that  Colonel  Allen  desires 
the  attendance  of  Nathan  at  once." 

**What  does  he  want  him  for?"  the  shrill 
voice  of  Mrs.  Beman  cried,  and  Isaac  replied 
truthfully  that  he  did  not  know,  since  no 
explanation  had  been  made  him. 

Then  could  be  heard  the  farmer,  his  wife, 
and  son  in  what  was  evidently  an  altercation, 
until  no  less  than  five  minutes  had  passed,  at 
the  end  of  which  time  young  Nathan  ap- 
peared in  the  doorway  fully  clad,  as  he  asked 
impatiently : 

**How  much  are  they  willing  to  give  me  for 
coming  out  in  the  night  like  this?" 


158  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

**I  think  it  would  be  well  if  you  depended 
upon  their  generosity,  otherwise  it  is  in 
Colonel  Allen's  power  to  force  you  to  do  as 
he  asks,"  Isaac  replied  curtly,  and  from  the 
inside  Farmer  Beman  shouted : 

**Get  you  gone,  boy,  and  do  their  bidding. 
If  I  again  hear  you  demanding  money  for 
such  services,  your  jacket  shall  be  tanned 
with  the  stoutest  hickory  switch  I  can  get 
hereabouts." 

One  would  have  said  young  Beman  was  the 
most  abused  lad  in  the  province  of  New 
York,  as  he  followed  Isaac  down  to  the  shore, 
alternately  bewailing  his  ill -fortune  because 
he  had  not  given  Captain  Delaplace  informa- 
tion of  the  coming  of  such  a  body  of  men, 
trusting  to  that  officer's  generosity  for  a 
greater  sum  of  money  than  was  given  him  by 
Colonel  Allen,  and  vehemently  protesting  he 
would  not  stir  one  step  from  the  encamp- 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  159 

ment  without  being  well  paid  for  his  services. 
Colonel  Easton,  overhearing  this  threat, 
stepped  directly  in  front  of  the  grumbling  lad 
and  called  for  Corporal  'Lige,  much  to  the 
surprise  of  both  the  boys,  saying  when  the 
old  soldier  arrived : 

*' Corporal,  it  is  Colonel  Allen's  wish  that 
this  lad  remain  near  him  after  we  have 
landed  on  the  other  side,  to  show  the  way 
into  the  fort.  He  is  not  disposed  to  do  so 
willingly,  it  seems,  and  it  shall  be  your  dut}- 
to  see  that  the  order  be  obeyed.  If  he 
attempts  to  escape,  shoot  him  down ;  but  give 
him  gentle  treatment  so  long  as  he  complies 
with  your  requests." 

**I'll  take  care  of  him,  sir,  that  you  may 
deoend  on,"  the  corporal  said  grimly,  and 
from  that  instant  Nathan  Beman  remained 
silent  regarding  his  desire  to  be  paid  for 
acting  the  part  of  guide. 


160  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

Because  of  having  received  this  order  the 
corporal  was  forced  to  relinquish  his  position 
as  commodore  of  the  fleet,  and  thus  it  was 
that  he  and  his  pupil  were  among  the  few 
who  entered  Ticonderoga  early  that  morning. 

Within  five  minutes  after  Nathan  had 
apparently  been  subdued,  word  was  passed 
for  as  many  of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys  as 
could  be  conveyed  in  the  boats  to  embark  at 
once,  and  almost  at  the  same  moment  Col- 
onel-Easton,  turning  to  the  old  man,  said: 

**It  is  your  duty,  Corporal  'Lige,  to  take 
passage  in  the  same  craft  that  carries  our 
leader,  for  the  lad  of  whom  you  have  charge 
must  be  kept  where  Colonel  Allen  can  speak 
to  him  at  an  instant's  notice.** 

Had  the  men  been  allowed  to  follow  their 
inclinations,  the  frail  boats  which  formed  the 
fleet  would  have  been  swamped  even  before 
they  pushed  off  from  the  shore,  for  every 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  161 

member  of  the  troop  was  eager  to  be  with 
the  first  division,  and  it  was  only  after  con- 
siderable difficulty  in  the  way  of  restraining 
the  men  that  the  different  craft  were 
properly  and  safely  loaded. 

When  the  corporal  and  the  lad  who  was 
thus  virtually  held  prisoner  entered  the  boat 
where  was  Colonel  Allen,  Isaac  followed  as 
if  it  was  his  right  so  to  do. 

He  could  not  fancy  any  position  of  affairs 
where  he  would  be  debarred  from  remaining 
with  the  man  who  had  taken  him  *' under  his 
wing,"  and  it  so  chanced  that  in  the  excite- 
ment of  embarking  he  passed  aboard  un- 
heeded by  who  might  have  checked  him. 

The  darkness  of  night  was  just  giving  way 
to  the  gray  light  of  dawn  when  the  little  fleet 
put  off  from  the  shore,  and  without  being 
really  aware  he  did  so,  Isaac  counted  the 
number  of  those  who  were  thus  afloat. 


16J8  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

Beside  the  officers,  there  were  eighty- 
three,  including  himself  and  Nathan,  and  it 
was  no  longer  reasonable  to  expect  that 
those  who  had  been  sent  to  Skenesborough 
and  Panton  would  arrive  in  time  to  be  of 
assistance. 

**Will  they  try  to  take  the  fort  with  so 
few?"  he  asked  in  a  whisper  of  Corporal 
'Lige,  and  the  latter  added  emphatically: 

**If  all  that  is  told  of  Colonel  Allen  be  true, 
he  wouldn't  hesitate  to  make  an  attempt 
single-handed." 

**But  surely  we  cannot  hope  to  do  much, 
for  fifty  men  behind  a  fort  should  be  a  much 
larger  force  than  ours." 

**  Savin'  and  exceptin'  these  men  be  sur- 
prised, as  our  leader  counts  them  in  Fort 
Ticonderoga  will  be,"  the  corporal  replied, 
and  then  placed  his  finger  on  his  lips  that  the 
lad  should  cease  talking,  for  the  order  had 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  163 

been  passed  from  boat  to  boat  just  before  the 
fleet  left  the  shore  that  no  conversation  be 
indulged  in. 

Nathan,  sulky  because  of  having  been  put 
in  charge  of  the  man  whom  he  disliked,  gave 
no  apparent  attention  to  anything. 

In  almost  perfect  silence  the  journey  by 
water  was  made,  and  brought  to  an  end  just 
as  the  day  was  breaking,  when,  in  obedience 
to  signals  rather  than  words,  the  men  disem- 
barked and  were  formed  in  three  ranks  close 
to  the  water's  ege. 

Then  it  was  that  Colonel  Allen  advanced 
to  where  the  men  might  hear  when  he  spoke 
in  the  tone  of  ordinary  conversation,  and 
said  with  a  calmness  which  in  itself  was 
impressive : 

**  There  are  but  few  of  us  here  to  under- 
take the  work  which  was  cut  out;  but  yet 
each  of  you  should  be  a  match  for  any  two 


164  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

whom  we  may  meet.  Should  we  delay  until 
all  the  force  can  be  ferried  across,  there  will 
be  no  longer  opportunity  to  surprise  the 
garrison;  therefore  we  must  act  for  our  com- 
rades as  well  as  ourselves,  remembering  that 
should  we  falter  we  cast  shame  on  them  also. 
Now,  lads,  it  is  my  purpose  to  march  into 
the  fort,  and  I  only  ask  that  you  follow 
where  I  lead." 

The  officers  stepped  forward  quickly  to 
make  certain  there  should  be  no  cheering, 
and  wheeling  about  with  true  military  pre- 
cision Colonel  Allen  started  forward.  Colonel 
Arnold  by  his  ^de,  and  Corporal  'Lige  with 
Nathan  and  Isaac  directly  in  the  rear. 

Behind  them  came  eighty  of  the  Green 
Mountain  Boys. 

There  was  no  command  given. 

Each  of  the  men  copied  the  movements  of 
the  leader,  and  noiselessly  but  rapidly  they 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  165 

made  their  way  up  the  heights  toward  the 
sallyport,  Isaac's  face  paling  as  he  went, 
for  he  believed  of  a  surety  now  was  come 
the  time  when  he  should  hear  the  clash  of 
arms  and  find  himself  in  the  midst  of  com- 
batants, each  striving  to  take  the  other's 
life. 

On  passing  an  angle  at  the  rear  of  the  forti- 
fication the  entrance  of  a  trench  or  covert- 
way  was  come  upon  and  here  they  surprised 
a  sentinel  half  asleep,  leaning  against  the 
earthwork. 

Awakened  thus  suddenly,  and  seeing  what 
he  might  naturally  suppose  to  be  the  advance 
guard  of  a  large  force  directly  upon  him,  he 
took  hasty  aim  at  Colonel  Allen  and  pulled 
the  trigger. 

Involuntarily  Isaac  closed  his  eyes,  believ- 
ing their  leader  must  be  killed  at  such  short 
range,  but  the  weapon  hung  fire  and  the 


166  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

sentinel  took  to  his  heels  through  this  trench, 
the  attacking  party  following  at  full  speed. 

The  fugitive  led  the  way  to  the  parade- 
ground  within  the  barracks,  where  was  found 
another  sentinel,  and  he  made  a  thrust  with 
his  bayonet  at  Colonel  Easton,  who  was  side 
by  side  with  the  leaders ;  but  had  hardly 
raised  his  weapon  before  a  blow  from  the  flat 
of  Colonel  Allen's  sword  sent  him  headlong 
to  the  ground. 

At  this  the  men,  unable  longer  to  control 
themselves,  gave  vent  to  a  tremendous  shout, 
and  without  orders  separated  into  two 
divisions,  each  bent  on  gaining  possession  of 
the  barrack  ranges. 

As  bees  swarm  out  of  their  hives,  so  did 
he  startled  redcoats  rush  from  the  buildings, 
and  it  seemed  to  Isaac  as  if  instantly  each 
man  appeared  he  was  disarmed  by  one  of  the 
Green  Mountain  Boys,  who,  as  fast  as  he 


BEFORE  HE  COULD  SPEAK,  COLONEL  ALLEN  CRIED:  "I  ORDER  YOU   INSTANTLY 

TO  SURRENDER,  IN  THE  NAME  OF  THE  GREAT  JEHOVAH  AND  THE 

CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS." 

Corporal  ''Lige's  Recruit^  p.  168. 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  16? 

secured  a  captive,  marched  him  to  the  center 
of  the  parade-ground  in  order  that  he  might 
not  block  up  the  entrance  of  the  barracks. 

Now  was  come  the  moment  when  Nathan's 
services  were  required. 

It  was  no  longer  possible  to  keep  silence, 
for  the  shouts  of  the  men  must  have  aroused 
every  one  within  the  inclosure,  and  turning 
quickly.  Colonel  Allen  cried  in  a  loud 
voice: 

**Get  you  before  me  with  that  lad,  corporal 
and  let  him  lead  the  way  to  the  command- 
ant's quarters." 

Nathan  did  not  require  urging. 

He  understood  that  this  man  had  come 
with  serious  purpose,  and  knew  full  well  it 
might  be  dangerous  for  him  to  hang  back. 

Darting  ahead  as  swiftly  as  the  corporal 
would  allow,  he  conducted  Colonel  Allen  to 
the  door  of  Captain  Delaplace's    dwelling, 


168  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

and  the  leader  gave  three  resounding  knocks 
with  the  hilt  of  his  sword,  as  he  shouted: 

** Surrender  this  fort,  commandant!  Sur- 
render at  once  in  order  to  save  the  lives  of 
your  men!" 

The  door  was  quickly  opened  in  response 
to  this  demand,  and  a  half-clad  man,  over 
whose  shoulder  could  be  seen  the  frightened 
face  of  a  woman,  appeared  in  the  doorway. 

Before  he  could  speak  Colonel  Allen  cried : 

**I  order  you  instantly  to  surrender,  sir!" 

**By  whose  authority  do  you  make  such 
demand?"  the  captain  cried  with  dignity. 

**In  the  name  of  the  Great  Jehovah  and  the 
Continental  Congress!" 

These  words  sounded  in  Isaac's  ears  like 
the  thunder  of  cannon,  and  even  while  he 
questioned  to  himself  if  it  were  possible  this 
handful  of  men  had  really  captured  the  for- 
tress, Ticonderoga  was  surrendered. 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  169 


CHAPTER  VIII.  - 

AN    INTERRUPTION  . 

Nathan,  who  had  looked  upon  the  men 
under  Colonel  Allen  much  as  he  had  Cor- 
poral 'Lige,  was  literally  amazed  by  this 
ready  submission  of  the  king's  troops,  stand- 
ing silent  and  motionless  by  the  side  of  Isaac 
as  the  garrison  was  paraded  without  arms, 
and  the  surrender  made  in  due  form. 

Some  days  afterward  Isaac  learned  that 
the  spoils  of  war  at  this  place  were  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  iron  cannon,  fifty  swivels, 
two  ten-inch  mortars,  one  howitzer,  one 
cohorn,  ten  tons  musket-balls,  three  cart- 
loads flints,  thirty  gun-carriages,  a  quantity 
of  shells,  a  large  amount  of  material  for  boat 
building,  one  hundred  stand  of  small  arms, 


no  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

ten  casks  of  powder,  two  brass  cannon,  thirty- 
barrels  of  flour  and  eighteen  barrels  of  pork. 

Forty-eight  soldiers  were  surrendered  and 
preparations  were  at  once  begun  to  send 
these,  together  with  the  women  and  children, 
to  Hartford. 

Hardly  was  the  surrender  made  complete 
when  such  of  the  troops  as  had  been  left  on 
the  opposite  shore  under  Seth  Warner,  ar- 
rived in  a  schooner,  much  to  the  surprise  of 
all,  until  it  was  learned  that  Captain  Herrick, 
who  had  been  sent  to  Skenesborough  to  seize 
the  son  of  the  governor,  had  succeeded  in  his 
mission  without  bloodshed. 

He  took  not  only  the  young  major,  but 
twelve  negroes  and  attendants,  seized  the 
schooner  owned  by  the  elder  Skene,  and  had 
come  down  the  lake  in  the  early  morning 
with  the  hope  of  aiding  in  the  capture  of 
Ticonderoga. 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  1*^1 

Isaac  had  supposed  this  victory  would  end 
the  adventure,  and  was  saying  to  himself 
that  his  experience  had  been  rather  pleasing 
than  otherwise,  so  much  so  in  fact  that  he 
almost  regretted  the  time  was  near  at  hand 
for  him  to  return  home,  when  he  saw,  much 
to  his  surprise,  a  portion  of  the  troops  being 
formed  in  line  as  if  to  leave  Ticonderoga. 

Corporal  'Lige  had  been  assigned  to  the 
task  of  overhauling  the  goods  in  the  ware- 
house for  the  purpose  of  making  out  a  list  of 
the  same,  and  it  was  to  him  that  Isaac, 
followed  by  Nathan,  went  for  information. 

**Forming  in  line,  eh?"  the  old  man  asked 
as,  wiping  the  perspiration  from  his  face,  he 
went  outside  to  have  a  look  around,  and 
instantly  he  noted  the  preparations  which 
were  making,  turned  back  to  his  work  as  if 
it  was  of  but  little  concern. 

**What  is  the  meaning  of  that,  corporal?" 


172  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

Isaac  suggested.  **Are  we  going  back  with- 
out having  stayed  here  a  single  day?" 

** There  will  be  no  turnin'  back,  lad,  until 
the  work  is  finished,  and  the  fort  at  Crown 
Point  yet  remains  to  be  taken.  I  allow  Seth 
Warner  is  goin'  to  tackle  that  job,  which 
won't  be  a  difficult  one,  since  it  is  said 
there  are  not  above  a  dozen  men  in  the 
garrison." 

**  Suppose  you  an'  I  go  with  'em?"  Nathan 
suggested,  now  no  longer  eager  to  demand 
money  for  his  services;  but,  fired  by  what 
he  had  seen,  and  burning  to  participate  in 
new  conquests. 

**What  do  you  say,  corporal?"  Isaac  asked, 
feeling  that  it  was  necessary  to  gain  the  old 
man's  permission  before  he  could  join  in  the 
adventure. 

Again  Corporal  'Lige  went  to  the  door  of 
the  warehouse,  looking  about  him  with  the 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  173 

air  of  a  weather-prophet,  after  which  he 
replied  in  a  careless  tone : 

**I  don't  reckon  it  makes  any  difference 
whether  you  lads  are  here  or  sailin'  'round 
the  lake,  therefore  if  Seth  Warner  gives  his 
permission,  you  may  go  so  far  as  I  am  con- 
cerned; but  it'll  be  only  a  question  of 
whifflin'  from  one  point  to  another,  for  while 
the  wind  holds  in  this  direction  I'm  allowin' 
none  of  the  force  will  reach  Crown  Point." 

**The  wind  is  likely  to  haul  'round  after 
sanset,  so  let  us  take  our  chances,"  Nathan 
whispered,  and  Isaac  was  not  loth  to  embark. 

Therefore  the  two  started  across  the 
parade-ground  for  the  purpose  of  speaking 
with  the  old  hunter— Seth  Warner — when 
Captain  Herrick,  who  had  just  made  his 
report  of  the  night's  work  at  Skenesborough, 
halted  the  boys  by  saying : 

**I  reckon  you  two  lads  are  the  ones  Colo- 


174  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

nel  Allen  would  speak  with  at  once?  You 
will  find  him  in  the  commandant's  quarters." 

**He  is  most  likely  thinkin'  of  pay  in'  me 
for  comin'  over  last  night,"  Nathan  said  as 
the  two  turned  to  obey  the  command,  **and  I 
have  made  up  my  mind  not  to  take  money 
for  the  service." 

Isaac  looked  at  his  companion  in  surprise, 
and  the  latter  added  almost  shame-facedly: 

**I  reckon  father  was  right  when  he  said 
every  one  in  the  colonies  should  do  all  he 
could  in  this  cause,  and,  besides,  it  looks  to 
me  as  if  the  king's  troops  would  speedily  get 
the  worst  of  it." 

Young  Beman  was  not  unlike  many  in  the 
neighborhood  who  in  after-days  were  royal- 
ists or  patriots  as  the  cause  of  freedom  grew 
weak  or  strong. 

However,  Nathan  had  no  opportunity  to 
refuse  a  payment  of  money  for  his  services, 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  175 

for  when  the  lads  stood  before  Colonel  Allen, 
the  latter  said  in  a  tone  of  command,  and  yet 
with  the  air  of  one  asking  a  favor: 

**I  want  to  send  a  messenger  to  Sudbury. 
Do  you  think  you  can  find  the  place,  Isaac 
Rice?" 

**I  will  show  him  the  way,  sir,"  Nathan 
said  promptly,  and  the  colonel  favored  him 
with  a  glance  of  surprise,  but  took  no  further 
heed  of  his  sudden  complaisance. 

*-At  that  settlement  you  will  find  one 
Captain  Remember  Baker;  tell  him  what  has 
been  done  at  this  point,  and  say  it  is  my 
wish  he  join  me  here  without  delay.  Select 
the  lightest  boat  you  can  find  for  crossing 
the  lake,  and  make  all  haste." 

Then  the  colonel  turned  away,  intent  upon 
the  work  of  preparing  a  list  of  the  garrison 
which  had  surrendered,  and  some  of  his 
officers  entering  for  further  instructions  pre- 


176  CORPORAL  XIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

vented  the  boys  from  making  any  inquiries 
concerning  the  mission. 

On  leaving  the  quarters,  Nathan,  eager  to 
serve  this  new  commander  of  the  fort  with 
all  possible  celerity,  would  have  hastened  at 
once  to  the  shore  in  order  to  set  out,  but  that 
Isaac  insisted  upon  giving  Corporal  'Lige  due 
information  as  to  their  proposed  movements, 
much  to  the  displeasure  of  young  Beman, 
who  claimed  that  the  old  soldier  was  of  no 
accjount  when  the  colonel  had  given  orders. 
•*Well,  this  one  is,"  Isaac  said  stoutly. 
**He's  a  good  friend  of  mine,  and  I  wouldn't 
think  of  leavin'  without  first  tellin'  him,  no 
matter  whose  orders  I  was  obeying." 

**Well,  I  s'pose  you  must  have  your  own 
way,  but  the  time  will  come  when  you  won't 
think  so  much  of  that  pig-headed  old  man  as 
you  do  now." 

To  this  ill-natured  remark  the  lad  did  not 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  177 

reply,  but  on  presenting  himself  to  Corporal 
'Lige  and  explaining  what  he  was  about  to 
do,  the  latter,  still  busy  with  his  work  of 
taking  account  of  the  stores,  made  very 
much  the  same  remark  as  had  Nathan. 

** Don't  consider,  lad,  that  you  are  to  report 
to  me  when  ordered  on  duty.  Be  careful  of 
yourself;  do  not  run  into  danger  needlessly, 
and  get  you  gone  without  delay,  for  Colonel 
Allen  is  a  man  who  doesn't  take  kindly  to 
loiterers." 

Nathan  showed  himself  to  be  one  who 
could  perform  a  task  promptly  and  in  good 
order  when  it  suited  his  pleasure  so 
to  do. 

He  it  was  who  selected  the  boat  in  which 
they  were  to  cross  the  lake;  borrowed  a 
musket  from  one  of  the  men  that  he  might 
not  be  forced  to  make  the  journey  weapon- 
less, and  succeeding   in   begging    such   an 


178  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

amount  of  provisions  as  would  serve  them 
for  dinner. 

While  these  few  preparations  were  being 
made,  Warner,  with  a  detachment  of  twenty- 
five  men  from  Colonel  Allen's  regiment,  put 
off  on  his  journey  to  Crown  Point,  and  after 
watching  them  a  moment  Nathan  Beman  said 
in  a  tone  of  one  who  is  satisfied  with  himself: 

**It's  jest  as  well  we  didn't  have  a  chance 
to  go  with  that  crowd,  for  they  won't  get 
anywhere  near  there  until  the  wind  changes, 
and  it  seems  as  though  whoever  is  in  charge 
of  the  job,  ought  to  know  it." 

**I  suppose  the  plan  is  to  take  the  fort  by 
surprise,  as  was  this  one,  and  unless  our 
people  get  there  soon,  it  will  be  a  failure, 
because  the  news  of  what  has  been  done  here 
must  fly  over  the  country  quickly." 

** While  the  wind  blows  this  way,  and  so 
strong,  no  one  will  get  up  the  lake,  therefore 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  I79 

the  garrison  won't  learn  of  the  surrender  of 
Ticonderoga  unless  some  one  goes  across  the 
country.  However,  we  needn't  bother, 
seein's  our  work  is  all  cut  an'  dried,  and  we 
had  better  not  waste  too  much  time  here." 

Isaac  was  beginning  to  entertain  a  very 
friendly  feeling  toward  this  lad  now  that  he 
had  changed  his  views  so  entirely  regarding 
the  value  of  his  services,  and,  as  a  matter  of 
course,  Nathan  could  be  a  most  pleasing 
traveling  companion  when  it  suited  his  pur- 
pose, as  it  did  at  present. 

The  journey  to  Sudbury  proved  to  be  a 
longer  one  than  was  anticipated. 

A  strong  wind  which  blew  directly  down 
the  lake,  carried  the  boys  fully  two  miles 
below  the  point  at  which  they  should  have 
landed,  and  Nathan  was  much  averse  to  fol- 
lowing back  along  the  shore  in  order  to  gain 
the  trail  which  led  to  Sudbury, 


180  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

**It  will  be  just  that  much  useless  labor," 
he  said  emphatically,  **and  I  am  not  given  to 
walking  more  than  may  be  necessary." 

**But  there's  a  chance  of  going  astray  if  we 
strike  across  from  here,"  Isaac  suggested,  for, 
as  has  already  been  shown,  he  knew  little  of 
woodcraft,  and  this  traveling  blindly  around 
a  section  of  the  country  where  there  was 
every  reason  to  believe  enemies  might  be 
found  was  not  to  his  liking. 

**rd  be  a  mighty  poor  sort  of  a  guide  if  I 
couldn't  go  across  from  here  without  straying 
from  the  course  so  much  as  a  dozen  yards," 
Master  Beman  said  decidedly.  **To  walk  up 
the  shore  two  miles  or  more  only  for  the 
purpose  of  striking  the  trail,  is  foolishness." 

** But  the  thicket  is  so  dense  here,"  Isaac 
suggested  timidly,  almost  fearing  to  venture 
an  opinion  lest  ho  should  provoke  the 
mirth  of  his  companion.    **It  will  be  harder 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  1*81 

to  make  our  way  through  than  to  go 
around." 

Nathan  made  no  reply. 

He  bestowed  upon  'Corporal  'Lige's  recruit 
a  glance  as  of  pity,  and  then,  without  further 
words,  plunged  into  the  underbrush. 

Master  Rice  could  do  no  less  than  follow. 

Before  the  boys  had  traveled  half  an  hour 
on  the  direct  course  to  Sudbury,  it  is  more 
than  probable  young  Beman  repented  of 
having  attempted  to  make  a  ** short  cut,"  for 
the  advance  was  indeed  difficult. 

At  times  it  was  really  painful  to  force 
one's  way  through  the  tangled  foliage,  while 
now  and  again  the  boys  found  themselves 
floundering  over  swampy  land;  but  Nathan 
made  no  complaint  because  he  was  respon- 
sible for  having  taken  such  a  course,  and 
Isaac  hardly  dared  protest  lest  his  companion 
should  be  angered. 


182  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

**I  still  maintain  that  it  was  better  to  come 
this  way  than  travel  two  miles  in  vain," 
Nathan  said  as  he  threw  himself  upon  the 
ground,  and  Corporal  'Lige's  recruit  ventured 
to  suggest  mildly: 

"I'd  rather  walk  three- miles  on  the  shore 
than  one  here,  where  a  fellow  is  obliged  to 
fight  his  way  through." 

*Terhaps  you  know  this  country  better 
than  I  do,  and  would  take  the  lead?" 

**Not  so.  You  left  Ticonderoga  as  guide, 
and  it  would  not  be  seemly  in  me,  who  am  a 
stranger  here  as  well  as  a  lad  unaccustomed 
to  this  sort  of  warfare  which  is  now  being 
conducted,  to  do  other  than  follow  your  lead; 
but " 

The  remark  which  was  intended  to  soothe 
the  irritation  in  the  guide's  breast  was  not 
concluded,  for  Isaac  was  interrupted  by  the 
sudden  and  unexpected  appearance  of  three 


CORPORAL  XIGE'S  RECRUIT.  183 

men,  who  came  upon  the  boys  as  if  from  an 
ambush. 

"Hullo!"  Master  Beman  cried  carelessly  as 
if  something  in  the  way  of  a  salutation  was 
expected  from  him. 

Instead  of  replying  to  this  hail  the  two 
lads  were  seized  roughly,  and  without  a  word 
the  strangers,  taking  possession  of  the  mus- 
ket, began  searching  the  messengers'  cloth- 
ing as  if  expecting  something  of  value  or 
importance  would  be  found. 

**Look  here!  What  are  you  about?" 
Nathan  cried  angrily,  while  Isaac  submitted 
in  silence,  for  he  understood  that  these  three 
might  be  enemies  to  the  cause.  **What 
do  you  mean  by  handling  me  in  this 
shape?" 

**  Better  keep  your  tongue  between  your 
teeth,  young  Beman,"  one  of  the  men  said  in 
a  surly  tone.    **When  we  ask  for  information 


184  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

there'll  be  time  enough  for  you  to  wag  it  so 
freely." 

Surprised  at  having  been  thus  recognized, 
and  heedless  of  the  warning,  Nathan  con- 
tinued : 

'*Who  are  you?  I  never  saw  you  before! 
What  right  have  you  to  handle  me  in  this 
fashion?" 

"The  right  of  any  of  his  majesty's  subjects, 
for  in  these  times  it  is  well  to  overhaul  every 
rebel  one  runs  across." 

**rm  no  rebel!"  Nathan  cried,  now  exhibit- 
ing signs  of  alarm. 

**Your  father  is,  which  amounts  to  the 
same  thing,"  the  man  replied,  as,  after  hav- 
ing satisfied  himself  the  lad  had  nothing 
concealed  about  his  person,  he  rose  to  his 
feet.    **Why  are  you  abroad  to-day?" 

**How  long  since  is  it  that  a  lad  may  not 
move  about  as  he  wishes?" 


CORPORAL  'LiaE'S  RECRUIT.  185 

**  Since  rebellion  first  showed  its  head  in 
these  colonies.  Now,  answer  my  question, 
or  it  will  be  the  worse  for  you!" 

Isaac,  thoroughly  alarmed,  had  made  no 
resistance  either  by  word  or  movement  when 
the  stranger  searched  him,  and  although 
ignorant,  as  he  had  often  said,  of  warfare, 
he  understood  now  full  well  that  they  were 
fallen  into  the  hands  of  enemies,  who  would 
not  hesitate  at  the  taking  of  human  life  in 
order  to  compass  their  ends. 

Therefore  he  remained  stretched  upon  the 
ground  as  when  the  men  first  came  upon 
them,  so  terrified  that  it  was  almost  impos- 
sible either  to  move  or  speak. 

Young  Beman  was  frightened,  but  not  to 
such  an  extent  as  to  prevent  him  from  dis- 
playing anger,  and  instead  of  replying  to  the 
question  he  attempted  to  rise  to  his  feet. 

A  blow  delivered  with  unnecessary  force 


1^6  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

sent  him  headlong  to  the  ground  again,  and 
his  captor  said  warningly : 

**Have  a  care  what  you  are  about,  Nathan 
Beman,  for  we  are  not  disposed  either  to 
bandy  words  or  waste  much  time  on  such  as 
you,  who,  having  professed  friendship  for 
those  in  the  fort,  was  ready  to  betray  them." 

Now,  Nathan's  fears  were  as  great  as 
Isaac's;  but  he  made  one  more  effort  at 
asserting  himself,  and  began  by  telling  a 
lie.' 

**What  have  I  done  at  the  fort?  I  am  but 
just  come  from  my  father's  house." 

**Take  that  for  the  falsehood,  and  this  for 
believing  us  to  be  fools,  who  can  be  deceived 
by  such  as  you,"  the  man  replied  as  he 
viciously  kicked  the  boy  twice.  '*You  have 
but  just  come  from  Ticonderoga,  and  must 
have  been  sent  by  the  rebels  who  captured 
the  fort." 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRtJIT.  187 

*'What  reason  have  you  for  saying  that?" 
Nathan  asked  in  a  more  subdued  tone. 

*' First,  the  fact  of  your  being  here,  and 
secondly  because  your  comrade  spoke,  while 
we  were  within  hearing,  of  your  having  been 
sent  from  Ticonderoga." 

Nathan  shot  an  angry  glance  toward  Isaac 
as  if  Corporal  'Lige's  recruit  alone  was  to 
blame  for  this  unpleasant  interruption  to  the 
journey;  but  he  ventured  no  reply  lest 
further  chastisement  might  follow. 

**Tell  me  to  whom  you  are  sent,  and  have 
a  care  in  the  replying,  for  we  are  not  minded 
to  waste  much  time  upon  such  as  you." 

Nathan  was  beginning  to  understand  that 
he  was  wholly  in  the  power  of  an  enemy, 
whom  he  could  not  readily  deceive,  and  also 
believed  that  it  might  be  painful  for  him  if 
the  answer  was  delayed. 

He  was  not  so  devoted  to  the  cause  as  to 


188  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

be  willing  to  suffer  in  its  behalf,  and,  there- 
fore, said  surlily: 

**We  were  going  to  Captain  Remember 
Baker  at  Sudbury." 

•*Who  sent  you?" 

**Colonel  Allen." 

**  Where  is  the  message  you  are  carrying?" 

**He  gave  us  none  save  by  word  of  mouth." 

**  Repeat  it,  and  be  careful  lest  you  make 
the  mistake  of  telling  another  lie." 

**  There  is  nothing  in  it  of  importance  or 
interest  to  you.  It  was  simply  that  Captain 
Baker  should  come  at  once  to  Ticonderoga." 

•'Then  the  fort  was  taken  last  night?" 

**I  thought  you  knew  that?"  Nathan  cried 
in  surprise,  now  understanding  that  he  had 
divulged  what  it  wsfe  most  important  should 
have  been  kept  a  profound  secret  until  Crown 
Point  had  been  captured. 

**We  heard  that  the  rebels  were  marching 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  189 

toward  the  fort;  but  could  not  get  there  in 
time  to  warn  the  commandant." 

**Why  was  it  you  made  prisoners  of  two 
boys  if  you  were  not  knowing  to  all  that  has 
taken  place?"  Nathan  asked,  his  curiosity 
getting  the  better  of  his  fears, 

'*We  took  the  chance  that  you  could  give 
us  the  desired  information,  because  it  was 
not  reasonable  old  Beman's  son  should  be  in 
this  section  unless  on  business  of  his  father's, 
and  in  these  times  one  can  well  guesS  what 
that  business  might  be.  Therefore,  having 
heard  you  floundering  through  the  thicket, 
we  drew  near  to  listen  to  such  conversation 
as  you  might  indulge  in." 

"Are  you  going  to  waste  time  explaining 
our  purpose  to  that  young  cub,  Jason  Went- 
worth?"  one  of  the  men  asked  impatiently, 
and  he  who  had  been  addressed  replied  with 
a  laugh : 


190  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

**We  are  not  in  as  much  haste  now  as  we 
were  half  an  hour  ago,  Ezra  Jones.  Captain 
Baker  will  not  get  the  message,  and  while 
the  wind  holds  in  this  quarter  I'm  allowing 
the  rebels  won't  reach  Crown  Point  before 
we  do." 

'*They  will  if  we  loiter  here  all  day.  Truss 
up  the  lads,  so  they  can  do  no  mischief,  and 
let  us  be  off." 

**Would  you  leave  them  here  in  the  thicket, 
Ezra  Jones?" 

**Why  not?" 

**They  might  starve  to  death,  and  while 
I'm  willing  to  serve  the  king  in  all  things,  it 
is  not  my  intent  to  be  thus  barbarous." 

**They  can  make  themselves  heard  if  any 
one  passes  by  on  the  trail,"  the  third  man 
replied  very  carelessly,  and  Ezra  added 
quickly : 

**Ay!    I  had  not  thought  of  that,    They 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  191 

must  be  gagged,  or,  what  may  be  better  for 
us,  shot  offhand." 

**Are  you  willing  to  kill  two  boys  in  cold 
blood,  Ezra  Jones?" 

There  was  no  reply  to  this  question,  and 
Jason  Wentworth  turned  round  to  the  other 
man. 

** Matthew  White,  will  you  take  it  upon 
yourself  to  do  what  is  little  less  than 
murder?" 

**No;  carry  them  further  into  the  thicket, 
where  they  cannot  be  heard  from  the  trail, 
and  there  tie  them  up." 

**It  were  better  we  shot  them  at  once,  than 
leave  them  to  starve,"  Jason  Wentworth  said 
much  as  if  speaking  to  himself,  and  during 
this  conversation  the  feelings  of  the  two  lads 
can  be  faintly  imagined. 

The  question  of  their  death  by  bullet  or 
starvation  was   being  discussed  in  such  a 


192  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

business-like  manner,  as  if  there  was  no 
alternative,  that  the  boys  were  literally- 
paralyzed  with  fear. 

It  seemed  to  Isaac  Rice  as  if  the  three  men 
remained  silent  fully  five  minutes  before 
Jason  Wentworth  spoke  again,  and  then  it 
was  with  the  air  of  one  who  has  decided 
some  vexed  question. 

**rm  not  willing  to  play  the  part  of  a 
savage,"  he  said,  speaking  slowly  in  order  to 
givje  his  words  due  weight.  ** Neither  do  I 
propose  that  they  shall  carry  the  message. 
We'll  take  them  with  us." 

"And  thus  we  shall  be  caused  much 
delay,"  Ezra  Jones  muttered. 

**If  they  are  wise  we  will  travel  as  rapidly 
as  when  alone,  and  in  case  of  a  refusal  to 
obey  orders  they  can  be  shot,  or  left  to 
starve,  as  easily  half  an  hour  hence  as  now. 
Besides,  there  will  be  much  work  at  the  oars 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  193 

'twixt  here  and  Crown  Point,  and  they  can 
do  a  little  more  than  their  share  of  it." 

Perhaps  it  was  this  last  suggestion  which 
caused  the  other  two  men  to  agree  to  the 
proposition. 

At  all  events,  no  further  objection  was 
made,  and  Master  Wentworth  took  it  upon 
himself  to  direct  the  march  of  the  prisoners. 

**You  are  to  keep  half  a  dozen  paces  in 
advance,  and  take  good  care  there  is  no 
loitering,  or  any  attempt  at  giving  us  the 
slip,"  he  said  to  the  boys,  who  yet  lay  upon 
the  ground.  **I  do  not  propose  that  you  shall 
be  starved  to  death;  but  at  the  same  time  I 
would  put  a  musket-lDall  into  one  or  both  of 
you  without  compunction,  rather  than  suffer 
delay  or  escape.  Now  get  on  your  feet,  and 
move  lively,  for  only  by  obedience  can  you 
save  your  lives." 

There  was  no  disposition  on  the  part  of 


194  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

Colonel  Allen's  messengers  to  run  counter  to 
the  command  which  had  been  given. 

Each  knew  full  well  that  two  of  their  three 
captors  were  in  favor  of  leaving  them  to  a 
most  cruel  death,  which  could  be  escaped 
only  by  prompt  acquiescence  to  all  the 
orders  given. 

Therefore  it  was  they  leaped  to  their  feet 
quickly,  and  set  forward  at  a  sharp  pace, 
when  Jason  Wentworth  pointed  out  the 
direction  to  be  pursued. 

At  this  moment  it  was  Isaac  who  suffered 
most  in  mind,  for  he  knew  full  well  that 
Corporal  'Lige  would  condemn  him  for  not 
having  the  courage  to  face  death  rather  than 
give  information  to  the  enemy. 

Even  though  it  was  Nathan  who  had 
divulged  what  should  have  been  kept  a 
secret,  the  raw  recruit  knew  in  his  own  heart 
he  had  agreed  that  the  information  should  be 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  195 

given,  because  of  having  made  no  pro- 
test. 

If  Seth  Warner  failed  in  his  purpose,  it 
would  be  owing  in  a  certain  degree  to  what 
had  been  told  these  men,  and  Isaac,  who  had 
hoped  to  win  renown,  if  not  glory,  by  enlist- 
ing, could  charge  himself  with  what  was 
worse  than  a  blunder. 

On  the  other  hand  Nathan  was  not  sore  in 
mind  because  of  the  possibility  that  Crown 
Point  might  still  be  held  by  the  king's 
troops ;  but  he  had  sufficient  sense  to  under- 
stand that  if  he  had  retraced  his  steps  along 
the  shore  to  the  trail,  as  Isaac  proposed,  this 
capture  might  not  have  been  made. 

Therefore,  but  in  a  different  fashion,  was 
his  mental  trouble  as  great  as  that  of  his 
comrade. 

To  the  chagrin  of  both  the  boys  they  came 
upon   the    trail  leading  from  the    lake    to 


196  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

Sudbury,  after  not  more  than  two  or  three 
minutes'  traveling,  and  thus  knew  that  if 
their  halt  had  been  delayed  a  very  short 
time  it  might  have  been  possible  to  have 
given  these  enemies  the  slip. 

Once  on  the  trail  word  was  given  to  halt, 
and  the  three  men  held  a  brief  consultation 
as  to  the  course  they  should  pursue. 

One  was  in  favor  of  going  directly  to  the 
shore,  where  it  appeared  they  believed  a  boat 
could  be  found ;  but  the  others  insisted  on 
keeping  within  the  thicket  until  they  were 
arrived  a  mile  or  more  above  the  fort,  lest, 
being  seen,  pursuit  should  be  made  by  those 
who  had  captured  Ticonderoga. 

This  last  proposition  prevailed,  although 
there  were  many  chances  they  might  not  find 
a  boat  further  up  the  lake;  but  Jason  Went- 
worth  persisted  it  would  be  better  if  they 
make  the  journey  entirely  on  foot,  than  take 


CORPORAL  'LICE'S  RECRUIT.  197 

the  risk  of  being  captured  before  word  could 
be  carried  to  Crown  Point. 

On  being  commanded  to  push  forward  once 
more  the  boys  obeyed  readily,  if  not  will- 
ingly, and  during  the  hour  which  elapsed 
before  they  gained  the  desired  point,  Nathan 
and  Isaac  had  ample  opportunity  for  con- 
versation, since  their  captors  did  not  seem 
to  be  averse  to  their  talking  one  with  *  the 
other. 

**0f  course,  we  shall  be  held  prisoners  by 
the  king's  troops  once  we  are  arrived  at 
Crown  Point,"  Isaac  ventured  to  say  after 
they  had  traveled  steadily,  although  slowly, 
onward  for  nearly  half  an  hour,  and  young 
Beman  replied  in  a  petulant  tone : 

**That  goes  without  saying,  and  it  shows 
what  a  fool  I've  been  in  running  around  with 
those  who  would  oppose  the  king's  will.  If 
father  is  eager  to  ruin  himself,   that's  no 


198  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

reason  I  should  be  a  fool,  and  I'd  better  have 
listened  to  mother." 

**Why  speak  of  what  has  been  done?" 
Corporal  'Lige's  recruit  asked  in  what  he 
intended  should  be  a  soothing  tone.  **I  am 
not  acquainted  with  the  country  as  you  are, 
neither  am  I  so  brave;  but  yet  it  seems  as  if 
we  should  be  on  the  alert  for  a  chance  to 
escape." 

**Now  you  talk  like  a  fool!  How  may  we 
escape  with  these  three  men  on  watch,  all  of 
whom  are  willing  to  shoot  us  at  the  first 
chance  we  give  them.  I'm  not  minded  to 
have  a  bullet  put  through  my  body;  but 
would  rather  trust  to  the  king's  troops,  in 
the  hope  that  after  a  time  we  may  be  set 
free." 

**Yet  if  we  could  give  these  men  the  slip?" 

**You  may  be  certain  we  shan't  have  a 
chance." 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  I99 

**Yet,  suppose  we  did?" 

**Why  will  you  be  so  weak-headed,  Isaac 
Rice?  If  this  is  really  war  between  the  king 
and  the  colonies,  the  lives  of  boys  like  us 
count  for  but  little,  especially  since  two  of 
these  men  are  eager  to  be  rid  of  us." 

Isaac  understood  that  it  was  useless  just  at 
this  time  to  make  any  attempt  at  arousing 
his  companion  from  the  petulant  despond- 
ency into  which  he  had  fallen,  wherefore 
wisely  kept  silent ;  but  at  the  same  time  was 
firmly  resolved  to  be  on  the  lookout  for  any 
opportunity  of  gaining  his  freedom. 

His  timorousness  had  fled  before  the 
thought  that  there  might  yet  be  a  chance,  he 
knew  not  how,  of  preventing  the  information 
of  the  fall  of  Ticonderoga  from  being  carried 
to  Crown  Point. 

The  boy  had  in  his  heart  just  then  what  is 
commonly  called  courage,  and  his  will  was 


200  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

good,  at  whatever  cost  to  himself,  to  repair 
the  mischief  which  had  been  done. 

He  had  hoped  to  animate  his  companion  to 
the  same  pitch,  but  the  failure  to  do  this  did 
not  discourage  him,  and  while  obeying 
strictly  the  orders  given,  he  was  keenly 
aware  of  everything  which  might  be  of 
benefit. 

He  heard  the  men  discussing  what  they 
would  do  in  case  of  a  failure  to  find  a  boat 
near  by  where  they  gained  the  shore,  and 
learned  that  in  such  an  event  one  of  them 
would  return  to  the  landing-place  to  get  the 
craft  of  which  they  knew,  with  the  idea  that 
a  single  oarsman  would  not  be  molested 
while  pulling  leisurely  up  stream  as  if  bent 
on  business  of  his  own. 

He  also  understood  that  it  was  the  purpose 
of  his  captors,  after  warning  the  garrison  at 
Crown  Point,  to  muster  a  force  of  Loyalists 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  ;30l 

from  the  immediate  vicinity,  and  march  into 
Sudbury  with  the  idea  of  taking  Captain 
Baker  and  his  men  prisoners  before  a  second 
messenger  should  be  sent  from  Ticon- 
deroga. 

There  seemed  little  hope  that  such  infor- 
mation could  avail  him,  and  yet  he  was  in  a 
certain  degree  elated  because  of  having 
gained  it. 

On  arriving  at  the  shore  of  the  lake,  where 
the  men  had  thought  it  possible  a  boat  might 
be  found,  no  craft  of  any  kind  was  to  be 
seen. 

The  wind  still  held  strongly  from  the 
north,  and  Jason  Wentworth  announced  in  a 
tone  of  satisfaction: 

**The  rebels  won't  get  very  far  on  their 
journey  toward  Crown  Point  this  day,  and  I 
am  mistaken  if  the  wind  doesn't  freshen 
after  sunset." 


202  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

**It  will  be  precious  hard  work  for  us  to 
make  our  way  against  such  a  breeze,"  Ezra 
Jones  grumbled, 

**Ay;  but  we  can  do  it  with  four  oars  out, 
and  even  though  we  pull  at  them  twenty- 
four  hours,  the  labor  should  count  as 
nothing  so  that  we  arrive  in  good  time." 

**But  the  garrison  there  is  weak?" 

**They  should  be  able  to  hold  out  until 
assistance  can  arrive.  We  can  muster  fifty 
men  for  them  within  two  hours;  but  stand- 
ing here  talking  isn't  doing  the  work,  and 
it's  important  we  set  off  without  unnecessary 
delay.  Ezra,  you  go  down  the  shore,  and 
^  Matthew  up,  each  searching  for  a  boat,  and 
when  one  has  been  found  pull  to  this  point, 
where  I  will  stay  with  the  prisoners." 

**Is  it  to  your  mind  that  I  shall  take  the 
craft  from  opposite  the  fort,  running  the  risk 
of  being  overhauled?" 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  303 

'*  Better  that  than  remain  here  wasting 
time  in  talk." 

Matthew  White  was  of  the  opinion  that  it 
would  be  wisest  to  make  the  journey  afoot 
rather  than  take  the  risk  of  being  overhauled 
by  the  '^rebels;"  but  to  this  Master  Went- 
worth  would  not  listen,  and,  he  evidently 
being  the  leader  of  the  party,  carried  his 
point. 

The  two  men  set  out,  and  immediately 
after  their  departure  Jason  Wentworth 
ordered  his  prisoners  back  into  the  under- 
brush a  short  distance  from  the  shore,  where 
he  stood  guard  over  them,  and  at  the  same 
time  could  keep  close  watch  for  the  return 
of  his  companions. 


204  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

A     BOLD     STROKE. 

Isaac's  heart  beat  hard  and  fast  when  he 
and  Nathan  were  thus  left  with  but  a  single 
man  to  guard  them,  for  he  believed  the  time 
had  come  when  they  might  succeed  in  turn- 
ing the  tables,  because  surely  it  would  be 
easier  to  overpower  one  than  three. 

In  this,  however,  he  soon  came  to  under- 
stand that  he  was  mistaken. 

Had  either  of  the  others  been  left  on  guard 
it  is  possible  something  might  have  been 
done;  but  Jason  Wentworth  was  not  a  man 
to  be  caught  napping,  and  while  he  seem- 
ingly directed  his  gaze  out  over  the  waters, 
at  the  slightest  movement  of  either  of  the 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  205 

prisoners  he  was  on  the  alert  against  an 
attempt  at  escape. 

Twice  had  Isaac  changed  his  position  in 
order  to  make  certain  the  man  was  keeping 
close  watch  upon  them  when  his  attention 
was  apparently  directed  elsewhere,  and  each 
time  he  saw  Master  Wentworth's  musket 
raised  that  it  might  be  ready  in  case  a  bullet 
was  needed  to  check  the  flight  of  his 
captives. 

**Youhad  better  not  try  that  again,"  the 
man  said  warningly  when  Isaac  shifted  his 
position  the  third  time  for  no  other  reason 
than  to  make  himself  more  comfortable. 
"In  a  case  like  this  your  lives  count  as 
nothing,  and  while  I  am  unwilling  to  leave 
you  to  starve  in  the  woods,  I  shall  not  hesi- 
tate to  kill  either  or  both,  therefore  do  not 
make  any  feint  at  giving  me  the  slip  lest  my 
patience  should  become  exhausted." 


206  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

After  that  Isaac  was  exceedingly  careful, 
as  was  young  Beman,  to  remain  silent  and 
motionless. 

While  Corporal  'Lige's  recruit  was  ready  to 
encounter  serious  danger  in  order  to  accom- 
plish his  ends,  there  was  no  idea  in  his  mind 
of  risking  life  needlessly  when  there  was 
nothing  to  be  gained. 

Young  Beman  lay  face  downward,  as  he 
had  thrown  him  self  when  the  halt  was  called, 
giving  no  heed  to  the  conversation  between 
his  comrade  and  Master  Wentworth,  and 
Isaac  believed  young  Beman  intended 
for  him  to  understand  that  he  would 
take  no  part  in  an  effort  to  effect  their 
release. 

An  hour  passed  and  nothing  had  been 
heard  from  the  two  who  had  gone  in  search 
of  a  boat. 

It  surely  seemed  as  if  they  must  have  met 


CORPORAL  'LIGES  RECRUIT.  207 

with  some  mishap,  and  a  great  hope  sprang 
up  in  Isaac's  breast. 

When  thirty  minutes  more  had  passed 
Master  Wentworth's  face  gave  evidence  of 
the  anxiety  which  had  come  upon  him,  and 
he  looked  toward  his  prisoners  with  such  an 
odd  expression  that  Isaac  Rice  trembled, 
fearing  the  man  was  beginning  to  believe  it 
would  be  better  to  do  with  them  as  his 
friends  had  suggested. 

Then,  when  it  seemed  impossible  for  Jason 
Wentworth  longer  to  control  his  impatience. 
Master  White  returned  as  when  he  departed, 
and  having  the  appearance  of  one  who  had 
walked  far  and  rapidly. 

*'You  found  no  boat?"  Master  Wentworth 
said  interrogatively,  and  the  man  replied,  as 
he  seated  himself  wearily  near  by  the 
prisoners : 

**I  do  not  believe  there  is  one  this  side  of 


208  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

Crown  Point.  Most  likely  the  rebels  took 
good  care  to  gather  in  every  craft  that  was 
to  be  found  within  half  a  dozen  miles  of 
here." 

For  the  first  time  since  the  little  party 
came  to  a  halt  did  Nathan  evince  any  interest 
in  what  was  going  on  around  him,  and  now 
he  partially  turned  as  if  to  speak. 

Isaac,  believing  he  was  on  the  point  of 
telling  what  he  knew  regarding  the  seizure  of 
boats,  covered  the  boy's  mouth  with  his 
hand,  for  he  was  not  minded  to  give  the 
enemy  any  information. 

Master  Wentworth  observed  the  movement, 
and  evidently  would  have  demanded  an 
explanation,  but  for  the  fact  that  at  this 
moment  Ezra  Jones  came  up  through  the 
thicket,  instead  of  along  the  shore. 

His  report  was  much  like  Master  White's. 

The  boat  he  had  expected  to  find  near  the 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  209 

trail  leading  to  Sudbury  was  missing,  and  he 
had  continued  on  nearly  two  miles  further, 
but  without  avail. 

Again  did  hope  come  into  Isaac's  despond- 
ing breast. 

The  boy  had  believed  Master  Jones  would 
surely  find  the  craft  in  which  he  and  Nathan 
had  crossed  the  lake;  but  fortune  favored 
the  **reber'  cause  in  that  respect  at  least,  for 
the  man  must  have  turned  about,  when,  by 
continuing  on  a  very  short  distance  further, 
he  would  have  come  upon  that  for  which  he 
was  searching. 

**We  must  go  on  foot,"  Master  Wentworth 
said  after  a  short  pause,  ''and  the  sooner  we 
set  out  the  better." 

**It's  all  very  well  for  you,  who  have  been 
resting  here,  to  say  that,"  Jones  replied 
petulantly.  'Tve  been  making  a  road 
through  the  thicket  for  a  matter  of  five  miles 


210  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

or  more,  and  don't  propose  to  move  again 
until  after  I've  had  a  breathing  spell." 

**Why  didn't  you  come  back  by  the  shore, 
as  you  went?" 

** Because  there  are  a  hundred  pair  of  eyes 
watching  this  side  of  the  lake.  I  could  see 
the  rebels  on  the  opposite  shore  before  I 
gained  the  trail,  and  then  it  was  necessary  to 
keep  well  hidden  in  the  bushes.  Even 
though  I  had  found  a  boat,  it  is  doubtful  if  I 
should  have  been  allowed  to  pull  up  this 
way,  for  Seth  Warner  and  Ethan  Allen  are 
much  too  keen  to  let  any  one  pass  who  is 
headed  in  the  direction  of  Crown  Point." 

**  They  are  waiting  for  the  wind  to  die  away 
before  setting  out  to  take  the  fort,  and  if  we 
would  save  it  to  the  king  it  is  time  to  be 
about  the  work,"  Master  Wentworth  said 
half  to  himself,  but  his  comrades  gave  no 
heed  to  the  words. 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  211 

Then  ensued  a  long  time  of  silence,  and 
Isaac  was  well  content,  for  each  moment  of 
delay  lessened  the  danger,  as  he  believed. 

Thanks  to  the  indolence  of  Masters  White 
and  Jones,  it  was  nearly  nightfall  before 
they  were  ready  to  begin  the  journey,  and 
then  the  latter  intimated  that  he  had  re- 
covered from  his  fatigue. 

*'If  we  fail  to  give  the  warning  in  time, 
you  and  White  can  take  the  fault  to  your- 
selves," Master  Wentworth  said  angrily,  after 
which  he  ordered  the  prisoners  on  in  advance 
once  more. 

**They  have  begun  to  quarrel  among  them- 
selves, and  perhaps  our  time  will  come 
before  morning,'*  Isaac  whispered  to  Nathan 
as  they  pushed  on  in  advance,  and  young 
Beman  appeared  more  willing  to  listen  than 
when  the  subject  was  first  broached ;  but  yet 
he  made  no  reply. 


212  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

An  hour  later  night  had  fully  come,  and 
the  flying  clouds  so  completely  obscured  the 
sky  that  it  was  difficult  for  the  travelers  to 
make  their  way  even  along  the  shore  where 
was  nothing,  save  here  and  there  a  point  of 
BOcks,  to  impede  the  progress. 

More  than  once  did  the  boys  walk  directly 
into  the  water,  and  twice  Master  White  fell 
headlong  over  a  fallen  tree,  despite  all 
efforts  to  the  contrary,  and  then  it  was 
Jason  Wentworth  who  proposed  a  halt. 

**We  are  not  making  two  miles  an  hour  at 
this  rate,"  he  said  in  the  tone  of  one  who  is 
offended  with  his  companions.  **We  may  as 
well  stop  where  we  are  until  it  is  light 
enough  for  us  to  see  the  way." 

Nathan  and  Isaac  came  to  a  halt  imme- 
diately, and,  ordering  them  to  keep  close  by 
his  side,  the  leader  of  the  party  sought  for  a 
camping-place  amid  the  shrubbery. 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  213 

It  was  not  possible  to  make  any  choice 
selection  while  it  was  so  dark  that  one  could 
not  distinguish  objects  a  dozen  paces  in 
advance,  and  at  the  first  cleared  space  suffi- 
ciently large  to  admit  of  the  men  stretching 
out  at  full  length,  Master  Wentworth  made 
his  preparations  for  the  night. 

He  ordered  the  boys  to  lie  down ;  covered 
them  with  four  or  five  saplings,  and  on  the 
ends  of  these  he  and  Master  White  laid  them- 
selves in  such  manner  that  the  first  move- 
ment made  by  the  prisoners  must  awaken 
the  captors. 

It  was  the  Indian  method  of  guarding 
captives;  but,  owing  to  the  absence  of  robes 
or  blankets  with  which  to  cover  the  ends  of 
the  saplings,  those  who  lay  on  the  outside 
had  a  most  uncomfortable  bed. 

Isaac,  still  on  the  alert  for  any  advantage, 
observed,  rather  by  sense  of  hearing  than  of 


ai4  CORPORAL  'LIGES  RECRUIT. 

sight,  that  Master  Wentworth  kept  his  mus- 
ket close  beside  him,  while  the  other  two 
leaned  their  weapons  against  the  bushes. 

It  seemed  to  Corporal  'Lige's  recruit  as  if 
Nathan  Beman  had  finally  come  to  under- 
stand that  escape  might  yet  be  possible,  for 
the  latter  prodded  his  comrade  with  his 
elbow  from  time  to  time,  as  if  to  prevent  him 
from  falling  asleep,  and  Isaac  returned  the 
pressure  with  vigor. 

Then,  when  it  appeared  as  if  fully  an  hour 
had  passed,  the  heavy  breathing  of  the  men 
told  that  they  were  fast  asleep,  and  Nathan 
whispered  cautiously : 

**  These  fellows  ain't  so  smart  as  I'd 
counted  on.  I've  heard  father  tell  how  he 
outwitted  the  savages  when  they  had  him  in 
the  same  kind  of  a  trap,  an'  I  can  work  this 
if  you're  ready." 

** Begin  at  once;  there  is  no  time  to  lose." 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  215 

Then  it  was  that  young  Beman  breathed 
loudly  as  if  wrapped  in  profound  slumber, 
and  tossed  about  restlessly,  all  the  while 
pressing  against  Master  White. 

Isaac  did  not  understand  the  purpose  of 
such  maneuver,  but  he  was  content  with  know- 
ing that  his  comrade  had  at  last  consented  to 
make  an  effort  toward  escape. 

More  than  once  Master  White  partially 
awakened,  and  grumbled  because  of  Nathan's 
restlessness;  but  at  the  same  moment  he 
unconsciously  moved  aside  slightly,  and  each 
time  he  did  this  the  prisoners  were  so  much 
nearer  liberty. 

Then  came  the  time  when  Nathan  whis- 
pered: 

**He  has  at  last  rolled  off  the  saplings,  and 
I  can  crawl  away  without  disturbing  him. 
Are  you  ready  to  follow?" 

**Yes.    Can't  you  get  the  muskets?    Two 


2ia  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

are  near  our  feet,  and  the  other  is  by  the 
side  of  Wentworth." 

*'It  is  enough  if  we  give  them  the  slip." 

**If  we  get  possession  of  the  muskets  they 
cannot  send  a  bullet  after  us  in  case  one 
awakens  before  we  are  well  off." 

*'ril  try  it,"  Nathan  replied  as  he  began 
wriggling  his  body  out  from  under  the  sap- 
lings, not  daring  to  move  in  the  direction  of 
where  Master  White  lay. 

Isaac,  literally  trembling  with  excitement, 
followed  his  example,  and  it  seemed  to  him 
as  if  half  an  hour  had  been  consumed  in  the 
task,  when  really  no  more  than  five  minutes 
were  thus  spent  before  the  boys  were  on 
their  feet  and  the  men  apparently  still 
wrapped  in  slumber. 

Even  now  Nathan  would  have  made  good 
his  escape  without  an  effort  to  secure  the 
weapons,  and  pressed  his  comrade's  arm  to 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  ^17 

intimate  that  there  was  no  time  to  be  lost; 
but  Isaac,  dropping  to  his  hands  and  knees, 
crept  toward  Master  Wentworth. 

When  the  plan  had  so  far  succeeded  that 
they  were  on  their  feet,  a  bold  scheme  came 
into  Isaac's  head,  and  he  believed  now  was 
come  the  time  for  him  to  gain  the  good 
opinion  of  Corporal  'Lige,  if  he  should  be  so 
fortunate  as  to  see  the  old  soldier  again. 

Moving  with  infinite  care,  and  giving  no 
heed  to  what  Nathan  might  be  doing,  the 
boy  crept  to  Master  Wentworth's  side,  and  it 
was  with  difficulty  he  repressed  a  cry  of  exul- 
tation as  his  fingers  closed  over  the  musket. 

Cautiously  rising  to  his  feet,  and  at  the 
same  instant  assuring  himself  the  flint  was  in 
place,  but  forgetting  that  he  had  no  powder 
with  which  to  prime  the  weapon,  Isaac 
stepped  back  to  where  he  had  left  his 
comradeo 


21$  CORPORAL  'LIOE'S  RECRUIT. 

Nathan  was  no  longer  there,  but  from  a 
short  distance  away  came  a  slight  rustling  of 
the  foliage,  and  Isaac  waited,  his  heart  beat- 
ing so  violently  that  it  seemed  positive  the 
thumping  must  awaken  their  enemies. 

Before  Corporal  'Lige's  recruit  could  have 
counted  twenty,  Nathan  stood  by  his  side, 
and  it  needed  but  one  touch  of  the  hand  to 
tell  the  former  that  all  the  weapons  had 
been  secured. 

Young  Beman  had  done  his  work  well,  for 
he  not  only  held  the  two  muskets,  but  a 
powder-horn  well  filled,  and  a  shot  pouch 
heavy  with  bullets. 

Now  it  was  that,  having  all  the  advan- 
tage, Nathan  began  to  be  sensible  of  a  glow 
of  patriotism,  and  he  whispered  to  his  com- 
rade as  he  carefully  primed  one  of  the 
muskets : 

*'It  wouldn't  be  a  hard  task  to  take  these 


CORPOKAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  ;^19 

fellows  into  Sudbury,  if  we  had  something 
with  which  to  fetter  their  hands." 

"My  mother  made  the  cloth  of  this  coat  I 
am  wearing,  and  I  promise  that  it's  as  strong 
as  a  rope." 

Without  waiting  for  a  reply  Isaac  began 
stripping  the  garment  into  narrow  bands,  by 
aid  of  his  teeth,  and  the  noise  caused  Master 
Wentworth  to  half  rise  as  he  cried : 

"Hey!    White!    Jones!" 

"Stay  where  you  are!"  Nathan  shouted. 
"We've  got  all  the  muskets,  and  are  in  the 
mood  to  shoot  if  you  make  any  trouble.  It 
won't  go  much  against  the 'grain  to  put  a 
couple  of  bullets  into  the  two  who  wanted  to 
leave  us  trussed  up  in  the  thicket,  where  we 
would  starve  to  death!" 

Master  Wentworth  sank  back  upon  the 
ground  very  quickly,  and  at  the  same  instant 
must  have  discovered  that  his  ammunition 


220  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

had  not  been  seized,  for  he  cried  to  his 
companions : 

**They  can't  prime  the  muskets,  and  it  is 
the  same " 

**  You'll  know  whether  we  can  or  not  if 
you  make  any  move !  Don't  think  we  were 
such  fools  as  to  forget  that  part  of  the  busi- 
ness! I've  got  all  the  powder  and  balls 
that'll  be  needed  to  give  you  three  a  solid 
dose.  Tie  Master  Wentworth's  hands  behind 
his  back,  Isaac,  and  if  he  so  much  as  winks 
while  you  are  doing  it  I'll  quiet  him.  Lie 
down!"  he  added  fiercely  as  in  the  dim  light 
he  saw  one  of  the  others  attempting  to  rise. 
**If  you  make  any  fuss  we'll  shoot  first  an' 
talk  afterward!" 

It  was  more  than  probable  one  of  the  men 
might,  because  of  the  darkness,  have  gotten 
off  without  injury;  but  each  knew  that 
should    such  an  attempt  be  made    Nathan 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  221 

could  shoot  down  perhaps  two  of  the  party, 
and  each  probably  feared  it  might  be  himself 
who  would  receive  the  bullet. 

Therefore  it  was  that  they  obeyed  young 
Beman's  orders  strictly,  and  as  soon  as  might 
be  Master  Wentworth  was  lying  on  his  face 
with  both  hands  tied  securely  behind  his 
back. 

To  fetter  the  others  in  the  same  fashion 
was  neither  a  long  nor  a  difficult  task, 
because,  like  the  bullies  they  were,  both 
showed  the  white  feather  when  danger  threat- 
ened their  precious  selves,  and  no  more  than 
fifteen  minutes  had  elapsed  from  the  time 
Nathan  first  set  about  making  the  attempt  at 
escape  before  the  prisoners  were  powerless 
for  harm. 

With  their  hands  thus  securely  lashed 
behind  them,  it  was  impossible  for  the  men 
to  rise  without  assistance,  and  while  Nathan 


222  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

stood  with  the  musket  raised  that  he  might 
shoot  at  the  first  show  of  resistance,  Isaac 
helped  the  prisoners  to  their  feet. 

*'Now  it  is  you  three  who  will  obey  our 
orders,  instead  of  knocking  us  about,"  Young 
Beman  said  gleefully,  **and  I'll  make  the 
same  threat  Master  Wentworth  did :  At  the 
first  show  of  trying  to  escape,  I'll  shoot,  an' 
even  though  it  is  dark,  there's  little  chance 
of  missing  aim,  for  we  shall  keep  close  in  the 
rear.  Take  one  musket,  Isaac,  and  the  other 
we'll  leave  here,  rather  than  hamper  ourselves 
by  too  much  of  a  burden." 

"Do  you  count  on  trying  to  make  your 
way  through  the  thicket  while  it  is  so 
dark?"  Ezra  Jones  asked  in  a  surly  tone. 

'•That's  what  we. shall  do." 

"Then  you  may  as  well  shoot  us  off*hand, 
for  if  it  was  hard  work  when  we  were  free, 
what  chance  have  we  with  our  hands  tied?" 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  223 

**If  you  think  that  is  the  best  plan  I'll 
follow  your  advice,  and  never  so  much  as 
wince  in  the  doing  of  it,  for  you  was  one 
who  would  have  left  us  to  starve,"  Nathan 
said  so  promptly  that  the  man  [involuntarily 
ducked  his  head  as  if  fearing  a  bullet  might 
follow  the  words. 

**  Where  are  you  bent  on  taking  us?"  Jason 
Wentworth  asked,  after  he  had  somewhat 
recovered  his  composure. 

**Our  orders  were  to  go  to  Sudbury,  and  I 
think  we'd  better  keep  on  in  that  direction, 
rather  than  lose  time  by  carrying  you  to 
Ticonderoga.  We  could  do  that  lasfc  if  we 
pleased,  for  our  boat  is  hidden  among  the 
bushes  nearabout  where  Master  Jones  turned 
back.  What  say  you,  Isaac  Rice?  Is  it  to 
be  Sudbury,  or  the  fort?" 

**It  is  best  we  see  Captain  Baker  as  soon 
as  may  be,  and  if  you  think  we  can  find  our 


224:  CORPORAL  'LIGE'8  RECRUIT. 

way  through  the  woods,  I'll  say  nothing 
against  a  short  cut,  for  time  presses." 

The  prisoners  were  driven  like  sheep,  both 
boys  marching  directly  behind  them  with 
leveled  muskets,  and,  as  may  be  expected, 
the  advance  was  exceedingly  slow. 

The  men  stumbled  over  fallen  trees,  and 
each  of  them  fell  headlong  half  a  dozen 
times  before  the  seemingly  long  night  came 
to  an  end ;  but  still  they  were  urged  on  at 
the  best  possible  pace  until  sunrise,  when  a 
brief  halt  was  made. 

Two  hours  after  the  journey  had  been 
resumed  the  trail  was  found,  and  from  that 
time  on  until  the  outskirts  of  the  settlement 
was  gained,  the  party  marched  at  a  reason- 
ably rapid  rate  of  speed. 

Once  a  glimpse  of  Sudbury  was  had  Isaac 
became  exceedingly  prudent,  and  insisted 
upon  calling  a  halt,  while  Nathan  declared 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  225 

they  should  press  forward  until  the  prisoners 
could  be  delivered  to  Captain  Baker. 

**I  shan't  feel  comfortable  in  mind  until  all 
three  are  off  our  hands,  for  there's  no  know- 
ing how  many  friends  they  may  have  in  the 
settlement." 

'* That  is  exactly  why  I  would  halt  here," 
Isaac  replied,  and  Corporal  'Lige  would  have 
rejoiced  had  he  known  how  rapidly  his 
recruit  was  learning  his  duties  as  a  soldier. 
**We  do  not  know  in  which  house  Captain 
Baker  lives,  and  while  making  inquiries,  still 
having  the  prisoners  with  us,  we  might  come 
upon  those  who  would  turn  the  tables  once 
more,  before  we  had  so  much  as  gained 
speech  with  the  officer." 

**Then  what  would  you  do?" 

**We  are  within  less  than  half  a  mile  of  the 
settlement.  Let  us  march  the  prisoners  into 
the  thicket,  where  they  will  be  hidden  from 


226  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

view  of  any  who  may  come  this  way,  and 
while  one  stands  guard  over  them,  the  other 
can  seek  out  the  captain.  After  that  has 
been  done  he  can  take  charge  of  the  affair, 
and  our  work  will  be  well  and  thoroughly 
done." 

**Who  is  to  remain  here?"  Nathan  asked. 

** It  shall  be  as  you  say." 

Young  Beman  remained  silent  a  moment, 
axid  then,  with  the  air  of  one  who  has 
decided  an  important  question,  said: 

**You  shall  go  into  the  settlement,  and  if 
either  of  these  Tories  so  much  as  opens  his 
mouth  while  you  are  gone,  I'll  put  a  bullet 
through  him." 

**And  you  must  not  hesitate  to  carry  out 
that  threat,"  Isaac  added  firmly.  **Now  is 
come  the  time  when  we  may  prevent  any 
news  from  being  carried  to  Crown  Point,  and 
at  the  same  moment  deliver  Colonel  Allen's 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  227 

message,  therefore  blood  must  be  spilled  if 
necessary." 

Jones  and  White  looked  thoroughly- 
alarmed,  while  Jason  Wentworth  said 
approvingly  : 

*'You  lads  are  in  the  right,  from  your  own 
standpoint,  which  is  a  wrong  one,  however; 
but  since  we  have  been  so  dull  as  to  let  you 
get  the  best  of  us,  is  is  but  proper  we  should 
pay  the  penalty  for  disobeying  orders." 

**Will  you  give  us  your  word  not  to  make 
an  outcry  if  any  person  should  pass  by  on  the 
trail?"  Isaac  quietly,  having  no  little  respect 
for  this  enemy  who  could  look  upon  the 
situation  so  fairly. 

**If  by  giving  up  my  life  I  can  prevent  the 
capture  of  Crown  Point,  you  may  be  certain  I 
shall  not  hesitate." 

Isaac  looked  significantly  at  Nathan,  as  if 
to  say  that  this  man  should  be  guarded  more 


228  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

closely  than  the  others,  and  after  the 
prisoners  had  been  marched  into  the  thicket, 
where  they  were  completely  hidden  from 
view,  Corporal  'Lige's  recruit  set  out,  Nathan 
calling  after  him : 

**Do  not  loiter  by  the  way,  either  in  going 
or  coming,  for  I  am  not  quite  at  my  ease 
while  alone." 

**Have  no  fear  I  shall  delay.  It  should 
not  be  a  long  task  to  find  Captain  Baker,  and 
most  likely  you'll  see  me  again  in  less  than 
an  hour.  Keep  your  wits  about  you,  and 
remember  how  much  mischief  may  be  done 
if  you  hesitate  to  shoot  when  it  becomes 
necessary  to  do  so." 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  229 


CHAPTER  X. 

CROWN  POINT. 

Never  since  the  moment  when  Corporal 
'Lige  had  promised  to  make  a  soldier  of  him, 
had  Isaac  Rice  been  as  happy  as  now. 

He  had  atoned  for  the  mistake  made  when 
they  first  set  out  on  the  journey,  although  it 
was  really  none  of  his,  and,  in  addition  to 
having  prevented  the  news  of  what  had  been 
done  at  Ticonderoga  from  being  carried  to 
Crown  Point,  had  as  prisoners  three  who 
could  have  made  no  slight  amount  of  trouble 
for  the  colonists. 

Surely  the  old  corporal  would  praise 
Nathan  and  himself,  and  he  glowed  with 
pride  as  he  thought  of  the  report  he  could 
make  on  his  return  to  the  fort. 


230  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

**0f  course  Nathan  Beman  has  as  big  a 
share  in  this  work  as  I,  and  it  is  his  right; 
but  I  know  it  was  not  me  who  grew  faint- 
hearted when  we  were  in  the  power  of  the 
enemy,  an'  there's  a  deal  of  satisfaction  in 
that  thought." 

On  arriving  at  Sudbury,  half  an  hour  after 
having  left  his  comrade,  Isaac  made  inquiries 
for  Captain  Baker's  dwelling,  and  learned 
that  had  Nathan's  proposition  been  carried 
out,  they  would  have  been  forced  to  parade 
the  prisoners  through  the  entire  settlement 
before  coming  upon  the  house. 

The  captain  was  within  sound  of  his  wife's 
voice  when  Isaac  finally  stood  before  the 
good  woman  asking  to  see  her  husband,  and 
came  up  quickly ;  but  with  a  look  of  disap- 
pointment on  his  face  when  he  saw  his  visitor 
was  only  a  boy. 

"Is  this  Captain  Remember  Baker?"  Cor- 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  231 

poral  'Lige's  recruit  asked,  for  he  was  not 
minded  any  mistake  should  be  made  now 
that  his  work  was  so  nearly  accomplished. 

**Yes;  what  do  you  want?" 

**I  am  come  from  Colonel  Allen " 

"Where  is  he?"  the  captain  asked  eagerly. 

**That  I  may  not  tell  you  until  we  are 
alone." 

**Come  into  the  house!  Come  in  and 
refresh  yourself,  and  you  shall  tell  me  that 
with  which  you  are  charged  while  partaking 
of  such  food  as  my  wife  can  prepare 
quickly." 

**It  is  not  well  for  me  to  spend  tim^i  in 
eating  until  after  Nathan  Beman  is  relieved 
from  his  charge." 

**What  have  you  to  do  with  that  young 
Tory,  if  it  is  true  that  you  come  from  Ethan 
Allen?"  and  now  the  captain  began  to  show 
signs  of  being  suspicious. 


^32  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

**I  will  tell  the  whole  story,  beginning  with 
the  capture  of  Ticonderoga " 


**So  the  fort  has  been  taken  by  our  peo- 
ple!" Captain  Baker  cried  joyously  as  he 
clasped  the  messenger  by  the  hand  with  such 
force  as  to  make  the  boy  wince.  **  Tell  me 
quickly!    When  was  the  work  done?" 

More  than  once  before  he  had  come  to  the 
story  of  his  and  Nathan's  adventures  was 
Isa^c  interrupted  by  the  eager  soldier ;  but 
after  a  certain  time  he  succeeded  in  impart- 
ing all  the  information,  and  was  rewarded  by 
hearing  the  captain  say: 

**You  showed  rare  good  sense  in  leaving 
the  prisoners  outside  the  settlement,  for 
while  we  in  Sudbury  are  with  the  colonists 
in  their  task  of  teaching  the  king  a  much- 
needed  lesson,  there  are  some  who  might 
have  tried  to  work  mischief  had  you  applied  to 
them  asking  the  location  of  my  dwelling.  Wait 


so  THE  FORT  HAS  BEEN    TAKEN  BY   OUR  PEOPLE  I  "  CAPTAIN  BAKER  CRIED, 
CLASPING  THE  MESSENGER  BY  THE  HAND. 

Corporal  'Lige's  Becruit,  p.  m. 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  233 

here  until  I  can  summon  a  few  of  the  Green 
Mountain  Boys,  who  have  been  awaiting  word 
from  Ethan  Allen,  and  we'll  soon  relieve 
you  of  the  Tories." 

Captain  Baker  ran  out,  not  stopping  for  a 
reply,  and  while  he  was  absent  his  wife 
insisted  on  Isaac's  eating  such  food  as  she 
had  already  prepared,  until  it  seemed  to  the 
boy  that  he  would  not  need  anything  more 
for  twenty-four  hours. 

Then  six  men,  each  armed  with  a  musket, 
arrived,  ajnd  were  ushered  into  the  house,  and 
Isaac  was  called  upon  to  tell  once  more  of 
how  Ticonderoga  had  been  captured,  after 
which  the  party  set  out  to  find  the  prisoners. 

Corporal  'Lige's  recruit  acted  the  part  of 
guide,  and  in  less  than  an  hour  the  three 
Tories,  having  been  given  a  liberal  supply  of 
cornbread,  were  being  marched  back  on  the 
trail  toward  the  captured  fort. 


234  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

Both  Isaac  and  Nathan  believed  it  was 
their  duty  to  accompany  the  prisoners;  but 
Captain  Baker  insisted  that  they  remain  at 
his  home  in  order  to  gain  the  repose  which 
was  needed,  promising  that  they  should 
arrive  at  Ticonderoga  nearly  as  soon  as  if 
they  had  gone  with  the  company  escorting 
the  Tories. 

Therefore  it  was  the  boys  remained,  well 
content  with  the  work  they  had  performed, 
and  not  until  the  morning  of  the  twelfth  of 
May  was  the  return  journey  begun. 

Then  the  wind  was  blowing  gently  from 
the  southward,  and  Nathan  said  mournfully: 

**We  have  of  a  surety  lost  the  chance  of 
going  to  Crown  Point,  for  the  hunter  will  be 
up  and  doing  this  morning,  and  is  likely  well 
on  his  way  by  this  time." 

Overhearing  his  words  the  captain  added: 

**Ay,  lad  if  he  didn't  get  there  yesterday, 


CORPORAL   LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  235 

which  I  misdoubt,  you  may  count  that  he 
started  before  daybreak  this  morning;  but 
you  can  have  the  satisfaction  of  knowing 
that  save  for  your  work,  his  task  might  not 
be  so  easy." 

** Think  you  he  can  surprise  the  garrison?" 
Isaac  asked. 

*'I  see  no  reason  why  it  should  not  be  done, 
especially  after  your  capture  of  the  Tories, 
for  thus  far  Colonel  Allen  has  succeeded  in 
keeping  his  movements  a  secret,  at  least 
from  the  people  in  this  section  of  the 
country,  and  why  may  you  not  say  the  same 
of  Crown  Point?" 

To  the  surprise  of  the  boys  no  less  than 
twenty  men  were  assembled  in  front  of  Cap- 
tain Baker's  house  by  the  time  breakfast  had 
been  eaten,  and  on  making  inquiry  Isaac 
learned  that  these  were  all  of  the  Green 
Mountain  Boys  who  had  been  ordered  by 


236  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

their  leader  to  rendezvous  at  Sudbury  until 
summoned  elsewhere. 

The  company,  under  command  of  Captain 
Baker,  took  up  the  line  of  march  over  an  old 
trail  through  the  woods,  marching  to  a  point 
on  the  shore  of  the  lake  nearly  two  miles 
further  down  from  where  the  boys  had 
landed,  when  they  came  from  the  fort. 

There,  snugly  hidden  in  the  thicket  ready 
for  just  such  an  emergency  as  had  already 
come,  were  found  four  stout  boats,  each 
capable  of  carrying  not  less  than  a  dozen 
men,  and  after  all  were  embarked  and  the 
little  fleet  pushed  off  from  the  shore,  it 
appeared  quite  formidable. 

Each  craft  boasted  of  a  sail,  and  with  the 
wind  from  the  southward  there  was  no  need 
of  labor  at  the  oars,  therefore  this  portion  of 
the  journey  promised  to  be  mostj^leasant. 

**This  is  different  from  what  we  expectecj 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  237 

when  Master  Wentworth  marched  us  in  front 
of  his  musket,"  Isaac  said  in  a  tone  of  con- 
tent, and  his  comrade  replied : 

"We  got  out  of  a  small  hole  in  fine 
style." 

It  was  when  they  were  midway  from  the 
point  of  embarkation  to  Fort  Ticonderoga 
that  young  Beman  cried  excitedly,  pointing 
toward  that  shore  which  they  had  just 
quitted,  where  could  be  seen  two  small 
boats  laden  with  men  who  were  pulling  into 
a  cove  as  if  seeking  shelter : 

**It  looks  to  me  as  if  those  fellows  are 
wearing  red  coats!" 

It  was  the  first  intimation  Captain  Baker 
had  that  there  were  others  in  the  immediate 
vicinity,  and  instantly  he  gave  word  for  the 
boats  to  be  hauled  around  for  the  purpose  of 
learning  who  these  strangers  were. 

Hardly  had  this  inaijeuver  been  executed 


2a8  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

when  one  of  the  men  announced  positively 
that  young  Beman  was  right  in  his 
conjecture. 

**They  are  most  likely  Britishers,  who 
escaped  from  Ticonderoga,  or  have  come 
from  Crown  Point  on  their  way  to  St.  John  in 
search  of  reinforcements,"  Captain  Baker 
cried  excitedly,  and  orders  were  given  for  the 
men  to  take  to  the  oars. 

Then  ensued  a  chase  which  was  .  quickly 
en3ed,  owing  to  the  precaution  taken  by  the 
Britishers  themselves. 

They  had  put  into  the  cove  hoping  to 
escape  detection,  and  it  proved  to  be  a  trap 
for  them. 

No  sooner  were  the  boats  arrived  off  this 
place  of  refuge  than  Captain  Baker  gave 
orders  for  them  to  be  strung  out  in  line,  thus 
cutting  off  all  hope  of  escape  by  water,  and 
in  his  own  craft  pulled  near  to  where  the  two 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  239 

boats,  manned  by  seven  soldiers,  were  drawn 
up  as  if  prepared  to  do  battle. 

It  was  soon  evident  they  understood  well 
the  truth  of  the  old  adage  that  *' discretion  is 
the  better  part  of  valor,"  for  immediately 
Captain  Baker  called  upon  them  to  sur- 
render, they  threw  their  arms  into  the 
bottom  of  the  boat  in  token  of  submission. 

Nathan  was  most  grievously  disappointed. 
He  had  fancied  there  might  be  a  skirmish,  or 
at  least  an  exchange  of  shots,  for  until  the 
morning  when  Ticonderoga  was  taken  so 
readily  he  had  believed  the  king's  soldiers  to 
be  invincible,  and  even  now  he  was  not  pre- 
pared to  see  them  surrender  to  a  force  little 
more  than  four  times  their  number. 

The  prisoners  readily  answered  the  ques- 
tions put  by  the  captain. 

They  were  from  Crown  Point,  and  having 
learned  of  the  surrender  of  Ticonderoga  had 


240  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

been  dispatched  by  the  sergeant  in  command 
of  the  garrison,  for  reinforcements. 

They  stated,  in  addition,  that  it  was  not 
believed  those  who  had  taken  Ticonderoga 
would  push  on  to  Crown  Point  immediately, 
consequently  plenty  of  time  remained  in 
which  that  post  might  be  reinforced.  There- 
fore it  was  the  sergeant  in  command  had  not 
hesitated  to  weaken  his  small  garrison  by 
thus  sending  seven  men  on  a  mission  which 
might  more  readily  have  been  accomplished 
by  one. 

**  There  is  yet  time  for  us  to  do  Seth  War- 
ner a  good  turn,"  Captain  Baker  cried  suflS- 
ciently  loud  for  all  his  men  to  hear.  **It  is 
more  than  likely  the  garrison  at  Crown  Point 
will  hold  out  when  the  Green  Mountain  Boys 
demand  its  surrender,  believing  reinforce- 
ments are,  or  speedily  will  be,  on  the  way. 
Now,  instead  of  stopping  at  Ticonderoga,  our 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  241 

plan  is  to  push  directly  on  to  the  fort,  and 
when  it  is  known  that  we  have  captured  the 
messengers  I  reckon  the  fortification  will  be 
surrendered  with  but  little  parley." 

Although  the  captain  had  thus  spoken  as  if 
making  a  suggestion,  his  men  understood 
that  his  words  were  little  short  of  a  com- 
mand, and  after  transferring  the  prisoners 
the  fleet  was  gotten  under  way. 

Thanks  to  the  freshening  wind  the  boats 
were  soon  making  good  time  in  the  race  to 
overtake  the  force  led  by  Seth  Warner. 

"And  it  is  to  be  Crown  Point  for  us,  after 
all!"    Nathan     cried     exultantly,    whereat, 
hearing  the  words,  Captain  Baker  asked: 
"What  is  your  name,  lad?" 
"Nathan  Beman  from  Shoreham." 
"So?    I  knew  your  father  was  on  the  right 
side;    but    understood  that  you    and    your 
mother  were  hardly  to  be  trusted," 


242  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

**I  cannot  say  anything  for  mother;  but 
since  I  have  seen  the  king's  soldiers  sur- 
render so  readily  I  am  with  the  Green  Moun- 
tain Boys  and  those  who  share  their 
opinions." 

**When  you  are  so  nearly  with  them  as  to 
enlist,  come  to  me,  lad,  and  I  will  give  you  a 
musket  in  the  best  company  that  can  be 
found  this  side  of  Cambridge." 

Isaac  looked  at  his  new  friend  reproach- 
fully, and  the  latter  said  with  a  laugh: 

**I  know  all  you  are  thinking;  but  when  I 
enlist,  and  it  ain't  certain  but  that  I  shall  do 
so  soon  if  the  people  continue  to  hold  out 
against  the  king,  I  propose  to  set  my  name 
down  for  that  company  to  which  you 
belong." 

**Do  so  when  we  go  back  to  the  fort," 
Isaac  cried  gleefully,  **and  side  by  side  you 
and  I  will  see  many  a  brave  adventure." 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT.  243 

**But  the  trouble  is  we  may  see  more  than 
will  be  pleasing,  though  I  truly  believe  I 
shall  enlist." 

**And  Corporal  'Lige  shall  teach  us  both  a 
soldier's  duty." 

This  proposition  apparently  did  not  meet 
with  favor,  for  Nathan  at  once  changed  the 
subject  of  the  conversation  by  inquiring 
regarding  the  probable  condition  of  aifairs 
at  Crown  Point,  after  which  the  boys  listened 
to  the  conversation  of  their  companions  as 
they  spoke  of  Lexington  and  Concord,  and 
of  what  should  be  done  to  avenge  the 
murders  committed  there. 

And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  these  two 
lads  were  most  grievously  disappointed  in 
their  anticipations  concerning  the  capture  of 
the  fort. 

Probably  each  had  in  his  mind  the  thought 
that  he  was  to  see  somewhat  of  war,  more  at 


244  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

least    than    had    been  witnessed  at  Ticon- 
deroga;  but  it  was  not  to  be. 

As  the  little  fleet  approached  the  point, 
Warner  and  his  men  were  just  disembarking. 

Although  Captain  Baker's  party  was  but  a 
mile  away  at  that  time,  when  they  gained 
the  shore  the  garrison  had  been  surrendered 
without  the  firing  of  a  gun,  and  the  booming 
of  the  cannon  told  that  again  were  the  **  imi- 
tation soldiers"  successful  in  their  efforts  to 
teach  his  majesty  a  lesson. 

One  hundred  and  fourteen  cannon,  of 
which  sixty -one  were  fit  for  service,  were 
among  the  spoils  on  this  morning,  and  after 
having  made  up  a  list  of  such  goods  as  were 
found  in  the  fort,  Seth  Warner  did  the  two 
lads  the  great  favor  of  sending  them  to  Colo- 
nel Allen  with  the  news  of  the  bloodless 
victory. 

**Go  you  on  ahead,  lads,"  Captain  Baker 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRTJIT.  245 

said  when  the  boys  had  been  intrusted  with 
the  message.  **I  won't  spoil  a  good  fortune 
by  seeming  to  accompany  you;  but  will 
linger  here  until  you  are  well  on  the  way, 
and  after  having  given  Ethan  Allen  the  best 
news  he  could  possibly  receive  at  such  a 
critical  time,  I  very  much  question  whether 
you  may  not  ask  whatsoever  you  will  from 
him." 

Hurriedly  the  messengers  departed  in  order 
that  they  might  arrive  well  in  advance  of 
Captain  Baker's  company,  and  when  they 
were  pulling  down  the  lake,  Isaac  said 
thoughtfully : 

**You  heard  what  Captain  Baker  said,  that 
Colonel  Allen  might  grant  anything  we 
asked?" 

**Yes,  and  I  know  what  is  in  your  mind 
this  minute." 

**Name  it  then." 


V.46  CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRUIT. 

**You  think  I  am  counting  -on  asking  him 
for  money."  (^      - 

Isaac's  face  flushed  and  he  made  no  reply. 

**I  might  have  done  so  a  few  days  ago,  but 
now  I  am  coming  around  on  the  same  track 
with  father,  and  say  that  the  colonists  do 
right  in  resisting  the  king.  If  it  so  be  he 
permits,  I  will  enlist  this  day." 

And  Nathan  Beman  kept  his  promise,  even 
going  so  far  as  to  desire  Corporal  'Lige 
should  stand  sponsor  for  him  when,  the  mes- 
sage having  been  delivered.  Colonel  Allen 
thanked  them  again  and  again  for  the 
cheering  intelligence  and  asked  what  they 
would  choose  as  their  reward. 

**Only  the  permission  to  enlist,"  Nathan 
said,  and  the  colonel  stared  at  him  in  open- 
mouthed  astonishment  for  several  seconds, 
after  which  he  asked  with  a  laugh : 

**Are  you  not  the  same  lad  who  so  thirsted 


CORPORAL  'LIGE'S  RECRtJiT.  U1 

for  money  that  he  refused  to  show  the  way 
into  the  fort  unless  first  paid  for  his 
services?" 

*'Ay,  sir;  but  I  have  come  to  think  differ- 
ently since  then,  and  now  I'm  going  for  a 
soldier,  because  it  looks  to  me  as  if  the 
colonists  would  speedily  worst  the  king." 

** Whereas  a  few  days  ago  it  appeared  to 
you  that  the  boot  was  on  the  other  foot?" 

**I  did  not  think  farmers  could  be  turned 
into  soldiers,  sir." 

"You  may  readily  believe  it  now,  lad, 
more  especially  since  you  have  seen  how 
easy  it  is  for  one  who  was  almost  a  royalist 
to  become  a  good  American,  and  now  I  am 
speaking  of  yourself.  Enlist  wherever  you 
will,  and  I  will  take  it  upon  myself  to  see 
that  both  you  lads  rise  in  the  service  as 
rapidly  as  you  shall  deserve." 

THE  END. 


A.  L.  BURT*S  PUBLICATIONS 

For  Young  People 

BY  POPULAR  WRITERS, 

97-99-101  Reade  Street,  New  York, 


Bonnie  Prince  Charlie  :  A  Tale  of  Fontenoy  and  CuUoden.    By 

G.  A.  Henty.     Wi'h   12   full-page   Illustrations  by  Gordon 

Browne.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

The  adventures  of  the  son  of  a  Scotch  officer  in  French  service. 
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Jacobite  agent,  escapes,  is  wrecked  on  the  French  coast,  reaches 
Paris,  and  serves  with  the  French  army  at  Dettingen.  He  kills 
his  father's  foe  in  a  duel,  and  escaping  to  the  coast,  shares  the 
adventures  of  Prince  Charlie,  but  finally  settles  happily  in  Scot- 
land, 

"Ronald,  the  hero,  is  very  like  the  hero  of  *  Quentin  Durward.'  The  lad's 
lourney  across  France,  and  his  hairbreadth  escapes,  make  up  as  good  a  nar- 
rative of  the  kind  as  we  have  ever  read.  For  freshness  of  treatment  and 
variety  of  incident  Mr.  Henty  has  surpassed  himself." — Spectator. 

With  Clive  in  India ;  or,  the  Beginnings  of  an  Empire,      By 

G.  A.  Henty.     With   13   full-page  Illustrations  by  Gordon 

Browne.     12uio,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

The  period  between  the  landing  of  Clive  as  a  young  writer  in 
fndia  and  the  close  of  his  career  was  critical  and  eventful  in  the 
extreme.  At  its  commencement  the  English  were  traders  existing 
on  sufferance  of  the  native  princes.  At  its  close \hey  were  masters 
of  Bengal  and  of  the  greater  part  of  Southern  India.  The  author 
has  given  a  full  and  accurate  account  of  the  events  of  that  stirring 
time,  and  battles  and  sieges  follow  each  other  in  rapid  succession, 
while  he  combines  with  his  narrative  a  tale  of  daring  and  adven- 
ture, which  gives  a  lifelike  interest  to  the  volume. 

"  He  has  taken  a  period  of  Indian  history  of  the  most  vital  importance^ 
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Scotsman. 

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Thirty  Years'  War.     The  issue  had  its  importance,  which  has  ex- 
tended to  the  present  day,  as  it   established  religious  freedom 
in  Germany.     The  army  of  the  chivalrous   king    of  Sweden  was 
largely  composed  of  Scotchmen,  and  among  these  was  the  hero  of 
the  story. 

'*  The  tale  is  a  clever  and  instructive  piece  of  history,  and  as  boys  may  be 
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The  Dragon  and  the  Raven ;  or,  The  Days  of  King  Alfred.  By 
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/,AND,  R.l.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

In  this  story  the  author  gives  an  account  of  the  fierce  struggle 
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a  vivid  picture  of  the  misery  and  ruin  to  which  the  country  was 
reduced  by  the  ravages  of  the  sea- wolves.  The  hero,  a  young 
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He  is  driven  from  his  home,  takes  to  the  sea  and  resists  the  Danes 
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*'  Treated  in  a  manner  most  attractive  to  the  boyish  reader."— /if ^erumtm. 

The  Young  Carthaginian :  A  Story  of  the  Times  of  Hannibal. 
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LAND,  R.I.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

Boys  reading  the  history  of  the  Punic  Wars  have  seldom  a  keen 
appreciation  of  the  merits  of  the  contest.  That  it  was  at  first  a 
struggle  for  empire,  and  afterward  for  existence  on  the  part  of 
Carthage,  that  Hannibal  was  a  great  and  skillful  general,  that  he 
defeated  the  Romans  at  Trebia,  Lake  Trasimenus,  and  Cannae, 
and. all  but  took  Rome,  represents  pretty  nearly  the  sum  total  of 
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struggle  for  the  empire  of  the  world  Mr.  Henty  has  written  this 
story,  which  not  only  gives  in  graphic  style  a  brilliant  descrip- 
tion of  a  most  interesting  period  of  historv,  but  is  a  tale  of  ex~ 
citing  adventure  sure  to  secure  the  interest  >  f  the  reader. 

"  Well  constructed  and  vividly  told.  From  first  to  last  nothing:  stays  the 
interest  of  the  narrative.  It  bears  us  along  as  on  a  jstream  whose  current 
varies  in  direction,  but  never  loses  its  torce.''''— Saturday  Review. 

In  Freedom's  Cause  :  A  Story  of  Wallace  and  Bruce.  ByG.  A. 
Henty.  With  full-page  Illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne. 
12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00; 

In  this  story  the  author  relates  the  stirring  tale  of  the  Scottish 
War  of  Independence.  The  extraordinary  valor  and  personal 
prowess  of  Wallace  and  Bruce  rival  the  deeds  of  the  mythical 
heroes  of  chivalry,  and  indeed  at  one  time  Wallace  was  ranked 
with  these  legendary  personages.  The  researches  of  mod  Li'n 
historians  have  shown,  however,  that  he  was  a  living,  breath  lig 
man — and  a  valiant  champion.  The  hero  of  the  tale  fought  under 
both  Wallace  and  Bruce,  and  while  the  strictest  historical  accuracy 
has  been  maintained  with  respect  to  public  events,  the  work  is 
full  of  "hairbreadth  'scapes"  and  wild  adventure. 

"  It  is  written  in  the  author's  best  style.  Full  of  the  wildest  and  most  re- 
markable achievements,  it  is  a  tale  of  irr<»i'-  interest,  which  a  boy,  once  he  ha» 
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The  story  of  a  young  Virginian  planter,  who,  aft  r  bravely 
proving  his  sympathy  vrith  the  slaves  of  brutal  masters,  serves 
with  no  less  courage  and  enthusiasm  under  Lee  and  Jackson 
through  the  most  exciting  events  of  the  struggle.  He  has  many 
hairbreadth  escapes,  is  seve  al  time-^  \^ounded  and  twice  taken 
prisoner;  but  his  courage  and  readiness  and,  in  two  cases,  the 
devotion  of  a  black  servant  and  c^  a  runaway  slave  whom  he  had 
assisted,  bring  him  safely  througu  all  difficulties. 

*'  One  of  the  best  stories  for  lads  which  Mr.  Henty  has  yet  written.  The 
picture  is  full  of  life  and  color,  and  the  stirring  and  romantic  incidents  are 
skillfully  blended  with  the  personal  interest  and  charm  of  the  story."— 
Standard. 

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1604).     By   G.   A.    Henty.     With   full-page   Illustrations  by 
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The  story  of  two  English  lads  \  hn  go  to  Holland  as  pages  in 
the  service  of  one  of  "  the  fighting  Veres."     After  many  adven- 
tures by  sea  and  land,  one  of  the  lads  finds  himself  on  board  a 
Spanish  ship  at  the  time  of  the  defeat  of  the  Armada,  and  escapes 
only  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Corsairs.     He  is  successful  in 
getting  back  to  S  ain  und^'r  the  protection  of  a  wealthy  merchant 
and  regains  his  native  country  after  the  capture  of  Cadiz. 

"  It  is  an  admirable  book  for  youngsters.  It  overflows  with  stirring  inci- 
dent and  exciting  adventure,  and  the  color  of  the  era  and  of  the  scene  are 
finely  reproduced.  The  illustrations  add  to  its  attractiveness."— Boston 
Gazette. 

By  Right  of  Conquest ;  or.  With  Cortez  in  Mexico.      By  G.  A. 

Henty.     With  full-page  Illustrations  by  W.  S.  Stacey,  and 

Two  Maps.     13mo,  cloth,  price  $1.50. 

The  conquest  of  Mexico  by  a  small  band  of  resolute  men  under 
the  magnificent  leadership  of  Cortez  is  always  rightly  ranked 
among  the  most  romantic  and  daring  exploits  in  history.  With 
this  as  the  groundwork  of  his  story  Mr.  Henty  has  interw(  ven  the 
adventures  of  an  English  youth,  Koger  Hawkshaw,  the  sole  sur- 
vivor of  the  good  ship  Swan,  which  had  sailed  from  a  Devon  port 
to  challenge  the  mercantile  supremacy  o  the  Spaniards  in  the 
New  World.  He  is  beset  by  many  perils  among  the  natives,  but 
is  saved  by  his  own  judgment  and  strength,  and  by  the  devotion 
of  an  Aztec  princes-.  At  last  by  a  ruse  he  obtains  the  protection 
of  the  Spaniards,  and  after  the  fall  of  Mexico  h'^  succeeds  in  re- 
gaining his  native  shore,  with  a  fortune  and  a  charming  Aztec 
bride. 

" '  By  Right  of  Conquest '  is  the  nearest  approach  to  a  perfectly  successful 
historical  tale  that  Mr.  Henty  has  yet  published."— Academy. 


4  A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

In  the  Reign  of  Terror :  The  Adventures  of  a  Westminster  Boy. 

By  G.  A.  Hknty.      With  full-page  Illustrations  by  J.  Sch6n- 

BERG      12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

Harry  Sandwith,  a  Westminster  boy,  becomes  a  resident  at  the 
chateau  of  a  French  marquis,  and  aft*  r  various  adventures  accom- 
panies the  family  to  Paris  at  the  crisis  of  tbe  Revolution.  Im- 
prisonment and  death  reduce  their  number,  and  tbe  hero  finds 
himself  beset  by  perils  with  the  three  young  daughters  of  the 
house  in  his  charge.  After  hairbreadth  escapes  they  reach  Nan- 
tes. There  the  jiirls  are  condemned  to  death  in  the  coffin-ships, 
but  are  saved  by  the  unfailing  courage  of  their  boy  i)rotector. 

"  Harry  Sandwith,  the  Westminster  boy,  may  fairly  be  said  to  beat  Mr, 
Henty's  record.  His  adventures  will  delight  boys  by  the  audacity  and  peril 
they  depict.  .  .  .  The  story  is  one  of  Mr.  Henty's  best."— -ba^urdaj; 
Review. 

With  Wolfe  in  Canada  ;  or,  The  Winning  of  a  Continent.  By 
G.  A.  Henty.  With  full-page  Illustrations  by  Gordon 
Browne.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

In  the  present  volume  Mr.  Henty  gives  an  account  of  the  strug- 
gle between  Britain  and  France  for  supremacy  in  the  North 
American  continent.  On  the  issue  of  this  war  depended  not  only 
the  destinies  of  North  America,  but  to  a  large  extent  those  of  the 
mother  countries  themselves.  The  fall  of  Quebec  decided  that 
the  Anglo-Saxon  race  should  predominate  in  the  New  World; 
that  Britain,  and  not  France,  should  take  the  lead  among  the 
nations  of  Europe;  and  that  English  and  American  commerce,  the 
English  language,  and  English  literature,  should  spread  right 
round  the  globe. 

"  xt  13  not  only  a  lesson  in  histoiy  as  instructively  a«?  it  is  graphically  told^ 
but  also  a  deeply  interesting  and  often  thrilling  tale  of  adventure  and  peril  by 
flood  and  Qeld.''''— Illustrated  London  News. 

True  to  the  Old  Flag:  A  Tale  of  the  American  War  of  Inde- 

pendence.     By  G.  A.  Henty.     With  full-page  Illustrations  by 

Gordon  Browne.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

In  this  story  the  author  has  gone  to  the  accounts  of  oflBcers  who 

took  part  in  the  conflict,  and  lads  will  find  that  in  no  war  in  which 

American  and  British  soldiers  have  been  engaged  did  they  behave 

with  greater  courage  and  good  conduct.     The  historical  portion  of 

the  book  being  accompanied  with  numerous  thrilling  adventures 

with  the  redskins  on  the  shores  of  Lal-e  Huron,  a  .story  of  exciting 

interest  is  interwoven  with  the  general   narrative   and    cirriea 

through  the  book. 

"  Does  justice  to  the  pluck  and  determination  of  the  British  sol  'iersaurin^ 
the  unfortunate  struggle  against  American  emancipation,  Tht  son  of  an 
Amerifan  loyalist,  who  remains  true  to  our  flag,  falls  among  the  hostile  red- 
skins in  thit  very  Ilr.roii  country  which  lias  U'en  endeared  to  us  by  the  eCK 
ploitsof  Hawkeye  and  Chingachgook."— JTmj  Timf^. 


A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 


The  Lion  of  St.  Mark :  A  Tale  of  Venice  in  the  Fourteenth 
Century.     By  G.  A.  Henty.     Witli  full-page  Illustrations  by 
Gordon  Browne.    12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 
A  story  of  Venice  at  a  period  when  her  strength  and  splendor 
were  put  to  the  severest  tests.     The  hero  displays  a  fine  sense  and 
manliness  which  carry  him  safely  through  an  atmosphere  of  in- 
trigue, crime,  and  bloodshed.     He  contributes  largely  to  the  vic- 
tories of  the  Venetians  at  Porto  d'Anzo  and  Chioggia,  and  finally 
wins  the  band  of  the  daughter  of  one  of  the  chief  men  of  Venice. 

'  Every  boy  should  read  '  The  Lion  of  St.  Mark.'  Mr.  Henry  nas  never  prO' 
duced  a  story  more  delightful,  more  wholesome,  or  more  vivacious."— Saiwr- 
day  Review. 

A  Final  Reckoning;:  A  Tale  of  Bush  Life  in  Australia.  By  G.  A, 
Henty.  With  full-page  Illustrations  by  W.  B.  Wollen, 
12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00, 

The  hero,  a  young  English  lad.  after  rather  a  stormy  boyhood, 
emigrates  to  Australia,  and  gets  employment  as  an  officer  in  the 
mounted  police.  A  few  years  of  active  work  on  the  frontier, 
where  he  has  many  a  brush  with  both  natives  and  bushrangers, 
gain  him  promotion  to  a  captaincy,  and  he  eventually  settles 
down  to  the  peaceful  life  of  a  squatter. 

"  Mr.  Henty  has  never  published  a  more  readable,  a  more  carefully  con- 
structed, or  a  better  written  story  than  this."— /Specfafor. 

Under  Drake's  Flag  :  A  Tale  of  the  Spanish  Main.     By  G.  A* 

Henty.     With  full-page  Illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne. 

12mo,  cloth,  price  $L00. 

A  story  of  the  days  when  England  and  Spain  stru^led  for  the 
supremacy  of  the  sea.  The  heroes  sail  as  lads  with  Drake  in  the 
Pacific  expedition,  and  in  his  great  voyage  of  circumnavigation. 
The  historical  portion  of  the  story  is  absolutely  to  be  relied  upon, 
but  this  will  perhaps  be  less  attractive  than  the  great  variety  of 
exciting  adventure  through  which  the  young  heroes  pass  in  the 
course  of  their  voyages. 

"  A  book  of  adventure,  where  the  hero  meets  with  experience  enough,  one 
would  think,  to  turn  his  hair  gray."— jHarper's  Monthly  Magazine. 

By  Sheer  Pluck  :  A  Tale  of  the  Ashanti  War.     By  G.  A.  Henty. 

With  full- page    Illustrations   by  Gordon    Browne.    12mo, 

cloth,  price  $1.00. 

The  author  has  woven,  in  a  tale  of  thrilling  interest,  all  the  de 
tails  of  the  Ashanti  campaign,  of  which  he  was  himself  a  witness. 
His  hero,  after  many  exciting  adventures  in  the  interior,  is  de- 
tained a  prisoner  by  the  king  just  before  the  outbreak  of  the  war, 
but  escapes,  and  accompanies  the  English  expedition  on  theii 
march  to  Coomassie. 

"  Mr.  Henty  keeps  up  his  reputation  as  a  writer  of  boys'  stories.  '  By  Sheer 
9uck '  will  ho  eagerly  read."— .4<AencBW/». 


A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 


By  Pike  and  Dyke  :  A  Tale  of  the  Rise  of  the  Dutch  Republic 
By  G.  A.  Henty.     With  full-page  Illustrations  by  Maynard 
Brown,  and  4  Maps.     12mo,  cloth,  price  |1.(K). 
In  this  story  Mr.  Henty  traces  the  adventures  and  brave  deeds 
of  an  English  boy  in  the  household  of  the  ablest  man  of  his  age — 
William  the  Silent.     Edward  Martin,  the  son  of  an  English  sea- 
captain,  enters  the  service  of  the  Prince  as  a  volunteer,  and  is  era- 
ployed  by  him  in  many  dangerous  and  responsible  missions,  in  the 
discharge  of  which  he  passes  through  the  great  sieges  of  the  time. 
He  ultimately  settles  down  as  Sir  Edward  Martin. 

"  Boys  with  a  turn  for  historical  research  will  be  enchanted  with  the  book 
while  the  rest  who  only  care  for  adventure.will  be  students  in  spite  of  them 
selves.'"— Si.  James'  Gazette. 

St.  George  for  England  :  A  Tale  of  Cressy  and  Poitiers.  By 
G.  A.  Henty.  With  full-page  Illustrations  by  Gordon 
Browne.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

No  portion  of  English  history  is  more  crowded  with  great  events 
than  that  of  the  reign  of  Edward  III.  Cressy  and  Poitiers;  the 
destruction  of  the  Spanish  fleet;  the  plague  of  the  Blacic  Death; 
tbe  Jacquerie  rising;  these  are  treated  by  the  author  in  "  St. 
George  for  England."  The  hero  of  the  story,  although  of  good 
family,  begins  life  as  a  London  apprentice,  but  after  countless  ad 
ventures  and  perils  becomes  by  valor  and  good  conduct  the  squire, 
and  at  last  the  trusted  friend  of  the  Black  Prince. 

"  Mr,  Henty  has  developed  for  himself  a  type  of  historical  novel  for  boys 
•which  bids  fair  to  supplement,  on  their  behalf,  the  historical  labors  of  Sir 
Walter  Scott  in  the  land  of  fiction.''— T/ie  Standard. 

Captain's  Kidd's  Gold:  TheTrueStoryof  an  Adventurous  Sailor 
Boy.  By  James  Franklin  FiTTS.  12mo,  clot'i,  price  $1.00. 
There  is  something  fascinating  to  the  average  youth  in  tlie  very 
idea  of  buried  treasure.  A  vision  arises  before  his  eyes  of  swarthy 
Portuguese  and  Spanish  rascals,  with  black  beards  and  gleaming 
eyes — sinister-looking  fellows  who  once  on  a  time  haunted  the 
Spanish  Main,  sneaking  out  from  some  hidden  creek  in  their  long, 
low  schooner,  of  picaroonish  rake  and  sheer,  to  attack  an  unsus- 
pecting trading  craft.  There  were  many  famous  sea  rovers  in 
their  day,  but  none  more  celebrated  than  Capt.  Kidd.  Perhaps 
the  most  fascinating  t^e  of  all  is  Mr.  Fitts'  true  story  of  an  adven 
turous  American  boy,  who  receives  from  his  dying  father  an 
ancient  bit  of  vellum,  which  the  latter  obtained  in  a  curious  way. 
The  document  bears  obscure  directions  purporting  to  locate  a  cer 
tain  island  in  the  Bahama  group,  and  a  considerable  treasure 
buried  there  by  two  of  Kidd's  crew.  The  hero  of  this  book, 
Paul  Jones  Garry,  is  an  ambitious,  persevering  lad,  of  salt-water 
New  England  ancestry,  and  his  efforts  to  reach  the  island  and 
secure  the  money  form  one  of  the  most  absorbing  tales  for  OUT 
youth  that  has  come  from  the  press. 


A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 


Captain  Bayley's  Heir :  A  Tale  of  the  Gold  Fields  of  California. 

By  G.    A.    Henty.     Witli   full-page   Illustrations   by  H.   M. 

Paget.     13mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

A  frank,  manly  lad  and  his  cousin  are  rivals  in  the  heirship  of  a 
CO- si  i^rable  property.  The  former  falls  into  a  trap  laid  by  the 
lattei,  and  while  under  a  false  accusation  of  theft  foolishly  leaves 
Eng  ajd  for  America.  He  works  his  passage  before  the  mast, 
joins  a  small  band  of  hunters,  crosses  a  tract  of  country  infested 
with  Indians  to  the  Californian  gold  diggings,  and  is  successful 
both  as  digger  and  trader. 

"Mr.  Henty  is  careful  to  mingle  instruction  with  entertainment;  and  the 
humorous  touches,  especially  in  the  sketch  of  John  Hell,  the  Westminster 
dustman,  Dickens  himself  could  hardly  have  excelled."— C^ris^ian  Leader. 

For  Name  and  Fame  ;  or,  Through  Afghan  Passes.      By  G.  A. 

Henty.     With  full -page  Illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne, 

12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

An  interesting  story  of  the  last  war  in  Afghanistan.  The  hero, 
after  being  wrecked  and  going  through  many  stirring  adventures 
amon.ij;  the  Malays,  findii  his  way  to  Calcutta  and  enlists  in  a  regi- 
me: t  proceeding  to  join  the  army  at  the  Afghan  passes.  He  ac- 
companies the  force  un-ier  General  Roberts  to  the  Peiwar  Kotal, 
is  wounded,  taken  prisoner,  carried  to  Cabul,  whence  he  is  trans- 
ferred to  Candahar,  and  lakes  part  in  the  final  defeat  of  the  army 
o^  Ayoub  Kban. 

"The  best  feature  of  the  bock-  apart  from  the  interest  of  its  scenes  of  ad- 
venture—is  its  honest,  effort  Vg  Jo  justice  to  the  patriotism  of  the  Afghan 
people."— Z)a%  News. 

Captured  by  Apes  :  The  "Wonderful  Adventures  of  a  Young 
Animal  Trainer.  By  Hikry  Prentice.  12mo,  cloth,  $1.00. 
The  scene  of  this  tale  is  laid  on  an  island  in  the  Malay  Archi- 
pelago. Philip  Garland,  a  young  animal  collector  and  trainer,  of 
New  York,  sets  sail  for  E&storn  seas  in  quest  of  a  new  stock  of 
living  curiosities.  The  vessel  is  wrecked  off  the  coast  of  Borneo 
and  young  Garland,  the  sole  survivor  of  the  disaster,  is  cast  ashore 
on  a  small  island,  and  captured  by  the  apes  that  overrun  the 
place.  The  lad  discovers  that  the  ruling  spirit  of  the  monkey 
tribe  is  a  gigantic  and  vicious  baboon,  whom  he  identifies  as 
Goiiah,  an  animal  at  one  time  in  his  possession  and  with  whose 
Instruction  he  bad  been  especially  diligent.  The  brute  recognizes 
him,  and  with  a  kind  of  malignant  satisfaction  puts  his  former 
master  through  the  same  course  of  training  he  had  himself  ex- 
perienced  with  a  faithfulness  of  detail  which  shows  how  astonish^ 
ing  is  monkey  recollectiouo  Very  nevel  indeed  is  the  way  hy 
which  the  young  man  escapes  death.  Mr.  Prentice  has  certainly 
worked  a  new  vein  on  juvenile  fiction,  and  the  ability  with  which 
he  handles  a  difficult  subject  stamps  iilm  as  a.  writer  of  undoubted 
skill. 


8  A.  L.  BURT'S  PFBLICATIONS. 

The  Bravest  of  the  Brave ;  or,  With  Peterborough    in  Spain. 

By  G.   A.   Henty.     With  full-page  Illustrations  by   H.   M. 

Paget.    12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

There  are  few  great  leaders  whose  lives  and  actions  have  so 
completely  fallen  into  oblivion  as  those  of  the  Earl  of  Peter- 
borough. This  is  largely  due  to  the  fact  that  they  were  c  ver- 
shadowed  by  the  glory  and  successes  of  Marlborough.  Hiscr  rear 
as  general  extended  over  little  more  than  a  year,  and  yet,  in  '.hat 
time,  he  showed  a  genius  for  warfare  which  has  never  been  sur- 


"  Mr.  Henty  never  loses  sight  of  the  moral  purpose  of  his  work— to  enforoa 
the  doctrine  of  courage  and  truth.  Lads  will  read  '  The  Bravest  of  the  Brave  * 
*rith  pleasure  and  profit;  of  that  we  are  quite  sure.''— Daily  Telegraph. 

The  Cat  of  Bubastes  :  A  Story  of  Ancient  Egypt.     By  G.  A. 

Henty.  With  full  page  Illustrations.  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

A  story  which  will  give  young  readers  an  unsurpassed  insight 
into  the  customs  of  the  Egyptian  people.  Amuba,  a  prince  of  the 
Rebu  nation,  is  carried  with  his  charioteer  Jethro  into  slavery. 
They  become  inmates  of  the  house  of  Ameres,  the  Egyptian  high- 
piiest,  and  are  happy  in  his  service  until  the  priest's  son  acci- 
dentally kills  the  sacred  cat  of  Bubastes.  In  an  outburst  of  popular 
fury  Ameres  is  killed,  and  it  rests  with  Jethro  and  Amuba  to 
secure  the  escape  of  the  high-priest's  son  and  daughter. 

"  The  story,  from  the  critical  moment  of  the  killinfj  of  the  sacred  cat  to  the 
perilous  exodus  into  Asia  with  which  it  closes,  is  very  skillfully  constructed 
and  full  of  exciting  adventures.  It  is  admirably  illustrated. "—Saturday 
Beview. 

With  Washington  at  Monmouth  :  A  Story  of  Three  Phila- 
delphia Boys.  By  James  Otis.  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 
Three  Philadelphia  boys,  Seth  Graydon  "whose  mother  con- 
ducted a  boarding-house  which  was  patronized  by  the  British 
officers;"  Enoch  Ball,  "son  of  that  Mrs.  Ball  whose  dincing 
school  was  situated  on  Letitia  Street,"  and  little  Jacob,  ;  on  of 
"  Chris,  the  Baker,"  serve  as  the  principal  characters.  Th« 
story  is  laid  during  the  winter  when  Lord  Howe  held  possession 
of  tiae  city,  and  the  lads  aid  the  cause  by  aNsisting  the  American 
spies  who  make  regular  and  frequent  visits  from  Valley  Forge. 
One  reads  here  of  home  life  in  the  captive  city  when  bread  was 
scarce  among  the  people  of  the  lower  classes,  and  a  reckless  prodi- 
gality shown  by  the  British  officers,  who  passed  the  winter  in 
feasting  and  merry-making  while  the  members  of  the  patriot  army 
but  a  few  miles  away  were  suffering  from  both  cold  and  hunger. 
The  story  abounds  with  pictures  of  Colonial  life  skillfully 
drawn,  and  the  glimpses  of  Washington's  soldiers  which  are  given 
show  that  the  work  has  not  been  hastily  done,  or  without  con 
giderable  study. 


A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS.  9 


For  the  Temple:  A  Tale  of  tbe  Fall  of  Jerusalem.     By  G.  A. 

Henty.  With  full-page  Illustrations  by  S.  J.  Solomon.  13mo, 

cloth,  price  $1.00. 

Mr.  Henty  here  weaves  into  the  record  of  Josephus  an  admirable 
and  attractive  story.  The  troubles  in  the  district  of  Tiberias,  the 
march  of  the  legions,  the  sieges  of  Jotapata,  of  Qamala,  and  of 
Jerusalem,  form  the  impressive  and  carefully  studied  historic 
setting  to  the  figure  of  the  lad  vt^ho  passes  from  the  vineyard  to 
the  service  of  Josephus,  becomes  the  leader  of  a  guerrilla  band  of 
patriots,  fights  bravely  for  the  Temple,  and  after  a  brief  term  of 
slavery  at  Alexandria,  returns  to  his  Galilean  home  with  the  favor 
of  Titus. 

"  Mr.  Henty's  graphic  prose  pictures  of  the  hopeless  Jewish  resistance  to 
Roman  sway  add  another  leaf  to  his  record  of  the  famous  wars  of  the  world." 
—Gt^aphic. 

Facing  Death  :  or.  The  Hero  of  the  Vaughan  Pit.     A  Tale  of 
the  ('oal  Mines.     By  G.   A.   Henty.     With  full-page  Illustra- 
tions by  Gordon  Browne.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 
"Facing  Death"  is  a  story  with  a  purpose.     It  is  intended  to 
show  that  a  lad  who  makes  up  his  mind  firmly  and  resolutely  that 
he  will  rise  in  life,  and  who  is  prepared  to  face  toil  and  ridicule 
and  hardship  to  carry  out  his  determination,  is  sure  to  succeed. 
The  hero  of  the  story  is  a  typical    British   boy,  dogged,  earnest, 
generous,  and  though  "  shamefaced"  to  a  degree,  is  ready  to  face 
death  in  the  discharge  of  duty. 

"  The  tale  is  well  written  and  well  illustrated,  and  there  is  much  reality  in 
the  characters.  It  any  father,  clergyman,  or  schoolmaster  is  on  the  lookout 
for  a  good  book  to  give  as  a  present  to  a  boy  who  is  worth  his  salt,  this  is  the 
book  we  would  recommend."— Stojidard. 

Tom  Temple's  Career.    By  Horatio   Alger.    13mo,   cloth, 

price  $1.00. 

Tom  Temple,  a  bright,  self-reliant  lad,  by  the  death  of  hi^ 
father  becomes  a  boarder  at  the  home  of  Nathan  Middleton,  aj 
penurious  insurance  agent.  Though  well  paid  for  keeping  the? 
boy,  Nathan  and  his  wife  endeavor  to  bring  Master  Tom  in  line^ 
with  their  parsimonious  habits.  The  lad  ingeniously  evades iheirr 
efforts  and  revolutionizes  the  household.  As  Tom;  is  heir  to. 
$40,000,  he  is  regarded  as  a  person  of  some  importance  until  by,- 
an  unfortunate  combination  of  circumstances  his  fortune  shrinkgr 
tp  a  few  hundreds.  He  leaves  Plympton  village  to  seek  work  ii\ 
;^ew  York^  whence  he  undertakes  an  important  mission  to  Calir 
fprnia,  around  which  center  the  most  exciting  incidents  of  his; 
3«>ung  career.  Some  of  his  adventures  in  the  far  west  are  so- 
^artling  that  the  reader  will  scarcely  close  the  book  until  the  lasi 
page  shall  have  been  reached.  The  tale  is  written  in  Mr.  Alger's 
most  fascinating  style,  and  is  bound  to  please  the  very  large  clasgi 
qf  boys  who  regard  this  popular  author  as  a  prime  favorite.. 


10  A.  L,  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONrs 

Maori  and  Settler:   A   Story  of  tlie  New  Zealand  War.     By 
G.  A.  Henty.  With  full-page  Illustrations  by  Alfred  Pearse 
12mo,  clotb,  price  $1.00. 
The  Rensbaws  emigrate  to  New  Zealand  during  the  period  of 

the  war  with  the  natives.     Wilfrid,  a  strong,  self-reliant,  coura- 

feous  lad,  is  the  mainstay  of  the  household.  He  has  for  his  friend 
[r.  Atherton,  a  botanist  and  naturalist  of  herculean  strength  and 
unfailing  nerve  and  hum(jr.  In  the  adventures  among  the  Maoris, 
there  are  many  breathless  moaients  in  which  the  odds  seem  hope- 
lessly against  the  party,  but  they  succeed  in  establishing  them 
selves  happily  in  one  of  the  pleasant  New  Zealand  valleys. 

"Brimful  of  adventure,  of  humorous  and  interesting  conversation,  and 
vivid  pictures  of  colonial  l\te.''''Schoolmdster. 

Julian  Mortimerj:  A  Brave  Boy's  Struggle  for  Home  and  Fortune. 

By  Harry  Castlemon.     12mo,  cloth,  price  |l.OO. 

Here  is  a  story  that  will  warm  every  boy's  heart.  There  is 
mystery  enough  to  keep  any  lad's  imagination  wound  up  to  the 
highest  pitch.  The  scene  of  the  story  lies  west  of  the  Mississippi 
River,  in  the  days  when  emigrants  made  tbeir  perilous  way  across 
the  great  plains  to  the  land  of  gold.  One  of  the  startling  features 
of  the  book  is  the  attack  upon  the  wagon  train  by  a  large  party  of 
Indians.  Our  hero  is  a  lad  of  uncommon  nerve  and  pluck,  a  brave 
young  American  in  every  sense  of  the  word.  He  enlists  and  holds 
the  reader's  sympathy  from  the  outset.  Surrounded  by  an  un- 
known and  constant  peril,  and  assisted  by  the  unswerving  fidelity 
of  a  stalwart  trapper,  a  real  rough  diamond,  our  hero  achieves  the 
most  happy  results.  Harry  Castlemon  has  written  many  enter- 
taining stories  for  boys,  and  it  would  seem  almost  superfluous  to 
say  anything  in  his  praise,  for  the  youth  of  America  regard  him 
as  a  favorite  author. 

"Carrots:"  Just  a  Little  Boy.  By  Mrs.  Molesworth.  With 
Illustrations  by  Walter  Crane.  12mo,  cloth,  price  75  cents, 
"  One  of  the  cleverest  and  most  pleasing  stories  it  has  been  our  good  forw 

tune  to  meet  with  for  some  time.    Carrots  and  his  sister  ara  delightful  little 

beings,  whom  to  read  about  is  at  once  to  becc:ne  very  fond  of.'"— Kxdtnincr. 
"A  genuine  children's  book;  we've  seen 'em  seize  it,  and  read  it  greedily. 

Children  are  first-rate  critics,  and  thoroughly  appreciate  Walter  Crane  8 

Illustrations.  ■"—PuHC/i. 

Mopsa  the  Fairy.      By  Jean  Ingelow.      With  Eight  pagt 

Illustrations.     12mo,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

"  Mrs.  Ingelow  is,  to  our  mind,  the  most  charming  of  all  living  writers  for 
children,  and  '  Mopsa'  alone  ought  to  give  her  a  kind  of  pre-emptive  right  to 
the  love  and  gratitude  of  our  young  folks.  It  reuuires  genius  to  conceive  a 
purely  imaginary  work  which  must  of  necessity  deal  with  tJie  supernatural, 
•without  running  intxi  a  mere  riot  of  fantastic  absurdity;  but  genius  Miss  In- 
gelow has  and  the  story  of  'Jack  '  is  as  careless  and  joyous,  but  as  delicate 
AS  a  picture  of  childhood.  "--i.'dec<ic. 


A,  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS.  11 

A  Jaunt  Through  Java :  The  Story  of  a  Journey  to  the  Sacred 
Mountain.  By  Edward  S.  Ellis.  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 
The  central  interest  of  this  story  is  found  in  the  thrilling  ad- 
ventures of  two  cousins,  Heruion  and  Eustace  Hadley,  on  their 
trip  across  the  island  of  Java,  from  Samarangtothe  Sacred  Moun- 
tain, In  a  land  where  the  Royal  Bengal  tiger  runs  at  large; 
where  the  rhinoceros  and  other  fierce  beasts  are  to  be  met  with 
at  unexpected  moments;  it  is  but  natural  that  the  heroes  of  this 
book  should  have  a  lively  experience.  Hermon  not  only  dis- 
tinguishes himself  by  killing  a  full  grown  tiger  at  short  range, 
but  meets  with  the  most  startling  adventure  of  the  journey. 
1  here  is  much  in  this  narrative  to  instruct  as  well  ar-  entertain  the 
reader,  and  so  deftly  has  Mr.  Ellis  used  his  material  that  there  is 
i.ot  a  dull  page  in  the  book.  The  two  heroes  are  brave,  manly 
young  fellows,  bubbling  over  with  boyish  independence.  They 
cope  with  the  many  difficulties  that  arise  during  the  trip  in  a  fear- 
less way  that  is  bound  to  win  the  admiration  of  every  lad  who  is 
so  fortunate  as  to  read  their  adventures. 

Wrecked  on  Spider  Island;  or.  How  Ned  Rogers  Found  the 
Treasure.  By  James  Otis.  12rao,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 
A  "  down-east"  plucky  lad  who  ships  as  cabin  boy,  not  from 
love  of  adventure,  but  because  it  is  the  only  course  remaining  by 
which  he  can  gain  a  livelihood.  While  in  his  bunk,  seasick, 
Ned  Rogers  hears  the  captain  and  mate  discussing  their  plans  for 
the  willful  wreck  of  the  brig  in  order  to  gain  the  insurance.  Once 
it  is  known  he  is  in  possession  of  the  secret  the  captain  maroons 
him  on  Spider  Island,  explaining  to  the  crew  that  the  boy  is 
afflicted  with  leprosy.  While  thus  involuntarily  playing  the  part 
of  a  Crusoe,  Ned  discovers  a  wreck  submerged  in  the  sand,  and 
overhauling  the  timbers  for  the  purpose  of  gathering  material 
with  which  to  build  a  hut  finds  a  considerable  amount  of  treasure. 
Raising  the  wreck;  a  voyage  to  Havana  under  sail;  shipping  there 
a  crew  and  running  for  Savannah;  the  attempt  of  the  crew  to 
seize  the  little  craft  after  learning  of  the  treasure  on  board,  and, 
as  a  matter  of  course,  the  successful  ending  of  the  journey,  all 
serve  to  make  as  entertaining  a  story  of  sea-life  as  the  most 
captious  boy  could  desire. 

Geoff  and  Jim:  A  Story  of  School  Life.     By  Ismay  Thorn,     II- 
lustrated  by  A.  G.  Walker.     12mo,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

"  This  is  a  prettily  told  story  of  the  hfe  spent  by  two  motherless  bairns  at 
A  small  preparatory  school.  Both  Geoff  and  Jim  are  very  lovable  characters, 
only  Jim  is  the  more  so;  and  the  scrapes  he  gets  into  and  the  trials  he  en- 
dures will,  no  doubt,  interest  a  large  circle  of  young  readers.'"— C/iurc/i 
Times. 

"This  is  a  capital  children's  story,  the  characters  well  portrayed,  and  the 
book  tastefully  bound  and  well  illustrated.'"— ^'c/too/ma.sfer. 

"  The  story  can  be  heartily  recommended  as  a  present  for  boys."^ 
Standard. 


13  A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

The  Castaways ;  or,  On  the  Florida  Reefs.    By  James  Otis. 

12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

This  tale  smacks  of  the  salt  sea.  It  is  just  the  kind  of  story 
that  the  majority  of  boys  yearn  for.  From  th«  moment  that  the 
Sea  Queen  dispenses  with  the  services  of  the  tug  in  lower  New 
York  bay  till  the  breeze  leaves  her  becalmed  off  the  coast  of 
Florida,  one  can  almost  hear  the  whistle  of  the  wind  through  her 
rigging,  the  creak  of  her  straining  cordage  as  she  heels  to  thti 
leeward,  and  feel  her  rise  to  the  snow-capped  waves  which  her 
sharp  bow  cuts  into  twin  streaks  of  foam.  Off  Marquesas  Keyj 
she  floats  in  a  dead  calm.  Ben  Clark,  the  hero  of  the  story,  and 
Jake,  the  cook,  spy  a  turtle  asleep  upon  the  glassy  surface  of  the 
water.  They  determine  to  capture  him,  and  take  a  boat  for  that 
purpose,  and  just  as  they  succeed  in  catching  him  a  thick  fog 
cuts  them  off  from  the  vessel,  and  then  their  troubles  be  in. 
They  take  refuge  on  board  a  drifting  hulk,  a  storm  arises  and  they 
are  cast  ashore  upon  a  low  sandy  key.  Their  adventures  from 
this  point  cannot  fail  to  charm  the  reader.  As  a  writer  for  young 
people  Mr.  Otis  is  a  prime  favorite.  His  style  is  captivating,  and 
never  for  a  moment  does  he  allow  the  interest  to  flag.  In  **  The 
Castaways  "  he  is  at  his  best. 

Tom  Thatcher's  Fortune.    By  Horatio  Algeb,  Jr.    12mo, 

cloth,  price  $1.00. 

Like  all  of  Mr.  Alger's  heroes,  Tom  Thatcher  is  a  brave,  am- 
bitious, unselfish  boy.  He  supports  his  mother  and  sister  on 
meager  wages  earned  as  a  shoe-pegger  in  John  Simpson's  factory. 
The  story  Ijegins  with  Tom's  discharge  from  the  factory,  because 
Mr.  Simpson  felt  annoyed  with  the  lad  for  interrogating  him  too 
closely  about  his  missing  father.  A  few  days  afterward  Tom 
learns  that  which  induces  him  to  start  overland  for  California  with 
the  view  of  probing  the  family  mystery.  He  meets  with  many  ad- 
ventures. Ultimately  he  returns  to  his  native  village,  bringing  con- 
sternation to  the  soul  of  John  Simpson,  who  only  escapes  the  con- 
sequences of  his  villainy  by  making  full  restitution  to  the  man 
whose  friendship  he  had  betrayed.  The  story  is  told  in  that  en- 
tertaining way  which  has  made  Mr.  Alger's  name  a  household 
word  in  so  many  homes. 

Birdie :  A  Tale  of  Child  lafe.    By  H.  L.  Childe-Pemberton 

Illustrated  by  H.  W.  Rainey.     12mo,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

"  The  story  is  quaint  and  simple,  but  there  is  a  freshness  about  It  that 
makes  one  liear  again  the  ringing  laugh  and  the  cheery  shout  of  c'liidren  at 
play  which  charmed  his  earlier  years. "— JVeu)  York  Express. 

Popular  Fairy  Tales.    By   the  Brothers  Grimm     )  Pufusely 
Illustrated,  12mo,  clotb,  price  $1.00. 
"  From  first  to  last,  almost  without  exception,  these  stories  are  dilWatful.'* 


A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS.  13 

With  Lafayette  at  Yorktown :  A  Story  of  How  Two  Boys 
Joined  the  Continental  Army.  By  James  Otis.  12mo,  cloth, 
price  $1.00. 

The  two  boys  are  from  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  and  are  introduced 
in  August,  1781,  when  on  the  point  of  leaving  home  to  enlist  in 
Col.  Scammell's  regiment,  then  stationed  near  New  York  City. 
Their  method  of  traveling  is  on  horseback,  and  the  author  has 
given  an  interesting  account  of  what  was  expected  from  boys  in 
the  Colonial  days.  The  lads,  after  no  slight  amount  of  adventure, 
are  sent  as  messengers — not  soldiers — into  the  south  to  find  the 
troops  under  Lafayette.  Once  with  that  youthful  general  they 
are  given  employment  as  spies,  and  enter  the  British  camp, 
bringing  away  valuable  information.  The  pictures  of  camp-life 
are  carefully  drawn,  and  the  portrayal  of  Lafayette's  character  is 
thoroughly  well  done.  The  story  is  wholesome  in  tone,  as  are  all 
of  Mr.  Otis'  works.  There  is  no  lack  of  exciting  incident  which 
the  youthful  reader  craves,  but  it  is  healthful  excitement  brim- 
ming with  facts  which  every  boy  should  be  familiar  with,  and 
while  the  reader  is  following  the  adventures  of  Ben  Jaffreys  and 
Ned  Allen  he  is  acquiring  a  fund  of  historical  lore  which  will 
remain  in  his  memory  long  after  that  which  he  has  memorized 
from  text-books  has  been  forgotten. 

Lost  in  the  Canon  :  Sam  Willett's  Adventures  on  the  Great 
Colorado.  By  Alfred  R.  Calhoun.  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 
This  story  hinges  on  a  fortune  left  to  Sam  Willett,  the  hero, 
and  the  fact  that  it  will  pass  to  a  disreputable  relative  if  the  lad 
dies  before  he  shall  have  reached  his  majority.  The  Vigilance 
Committee  of  Hurley's  Gulch  arrest  Sam's  father  and  an  associate 
for  the  crime  of  murder.  Their  lives  depend  on  the  production 
of  the  receipt  given  for  money  paid.  This  is  in  Sam's  possession 
at  the  camp  on  the  other  side  of  the  canon.  A  messenger  is  dis- 
patched to  get  it.  He  reaches  the  lad  in  the  midst  of  a  fearful 
storm  which  floods  the  caiion.  His  father's  peril  urges  Sam  to 
action.  A  raft  is  built  on  which  the  boy  and  his  friends  essay  to 
cross  the  torrent.  They  fail  to  do  so,  and  a  desperate  trip  down 
the  stream  ensues.  How  the  party  finally  escape  from  the  hor- 
rors of  their  situation  and  Sam  reaches  Hurley's  Gulch  in  the  very 
nick  of  time,  is  described  in  a  graphic  style  that  stamps  Mr.  CaK 
houn  as  a  master  of  his  art. 

Jack :  A  Topsy  Turvy  Story.      By  C.  M.  Crawley-Boevey. 

With    upward  of  Thirty    Illustrations  by   H.   J.    A.    Miles. 

12mo,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

"  The  illustrations  deserve  particular  mention,  as  they  add  largely  to  the 
Interest  of  this  amusing  volume  for  children.  Jack  falls  asleep  with  his  mind 
full  of  the  subject  of  the  fishpond,  and  is  very  much  surprised  presently  to 
find  himself  an  inhabitant  or  Waterworld,  where  he  goes  thougn  wonderful 
aud  edifying  adventures.  Ahaudsom«aud  pleasant  book. ''—Ltterari/  World. 


14  A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

Search  for  the  Silver  City  :  A  Tale   of  Adventure  in  Yucatan. 

By  James  Otis.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

Two  American  lads,  Teddy  Wright  and  Neal  Emery,  embark 
on  the  steam  yacht  Day  Dream  for  a  short  summer  cruise  to  the 
tropics.  Homeward  bound  the  yacht  is  destroyed  by  fire.  AH 
hands  take  to  the  boats,  but  during  the  night  the  boat  is  cast  upon 
the  coast  of  Yucatan.  They  come  across  a  young  American 
named  Cummings,  who  entertains  them  with  t'le  story  of  the 
wonderful  Silver  City,  of  the  Chan  Santa  Cruz  Indians.  Cum- 
mings proposes  with  the  aid  of  a  faithful  Indian  ally  to  brave 
the  perils  of  the  swamp  and  carry  off  a  number  of  the  golden 
images  from  the  temples.  Pursued  with  relentless  vigor  for  days 
their  situation  is  desperate.  At  last  their  escape  is  effected  in  an 
astonishing  manner.  Mr.  Otis  has  built  his  story  on  an  historical 
foundation.  It  is  so  full  of  exciting  incidents  that  the  reader  is 
quite  carried  away  with  the  novelty  and  realism  of  the  narrative. 

Frank  Fowler,  the  Cash  Boy.  By  Horatio  Alger,  Jr.  12mo, 

cloth,  price  $1.00. 

Thrown  upon  his  own  resources  Frank  Fowler,  a  poor  boy, 
bravely  determines  to  make  a  living  for  himself  and  his  foster- 
sister  Grace.  Going  to  New  York  he  obtains  a  situation  as  cash 
boy  in  a  dry  goods  store.  He  renders  a  service  to  a  wealthy  old 
gentleman  named  Wharton,  who  takes  a  fancy  to  the  lad.  Frank, 
after  losing  his  place  as  cash  boy,  is  enticed  by  an  enemy  to  a 
lonesome  part  of  New  Jersey  and  held  a  prisoner.  This  move  re- 
coils upon  the  plotter,  for  it  leads  to  a  clue  that  enables  the  lad  to 
establish  his  real  identity.  Mr-  Alger's  stories  are  not  only  un- 
usually interesting,  but  they  convey  a  useful  lesson  of  pluck  and 
manly  independence. 

Budd  Boyd's  Triumph;  or,  the  Boy  Firm  of  Fox  Island.  By 
William  P.  Chipman.  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 
The  scene  of  this  story  is  laid  on  the  upper  part  of  Narragansett 
Bay,  and  the  leading  incidents  have  a  strong  salt-water  flavor. 
Owing  to  the  conviction  of  his  father  for  forgery  and  theft,  Budd 
Boyd  is  compelled  to  leave  his  home  and  strilve  out  for  himself. 
Chance  brings  Budd  in  contact  with  Judd  Floyd.  The  two  boys, 
being  ambitious  and  clear  sighted,  form  a  partnership  to  catch 
and  sell  fish.  The  scheme  is  successfully  launched,  but  the  un- 
expected appearance  on  the  scene  of  Thomas  Bagsley,  the  man 
whom  Budd  believes  guilty  of  the  crimes  attributed  to  his  father, 
leads  to  several  disagreeable  complications  that  nearly  caused  the 
lad's  ruin.  His  pluck  and  good  sense,  however,  carry  him  through 
his  troubles.  In  following  the  career  of  the  boy  firm  of  Boyd  & 
Floyd,  the  youthful  reader  will  find  a  useful  lesson — that  industry 
ftud  perseverance  are  bound  to  lead  to  ultimate  success. 


A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS.  15 

The  Errand  Boy;  or,  How  Phil  Brent  Won  Success.  By 
Horatio  Alger,  Jr.  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 
The  career  of  "  The  Errand  Boy"  embraces  the  city  adventures 
of  a  smart  country  lad  who  at  an  early  age  was  abandoned  by  his 
father.  Philip  was  brought  up  by  a  kind-hearted  innkeeper 
named  Brent.  The  death  of  Mrs.  Brent  paved  the  way  for  the 
hero's  subsequent  troubles.  Accident  introduces  him  to  the 
notice  of  a  retired  merchant  in  New  York,  who  not  only  secures 
him  the  situation  of  errand  boy  but  thereafter  stands  as  his 
friend.  An  unexpected  turn  of  fortune's  wheel,  however,  brings 
Philip  and  his  father  together.  In  "The  Errand  Boy"  Philip 
Brent  is  possessed  of  the  same  sterling  qualities  so  conspicuous  in 
all  of  the  previous  creations  of  this  delightful  writer  for  our  youth. 

The  Slate  Picker  :  The  Story  of  a  Boy's  Life  in  the  Coal  Mines. 

By  Harry  Prentice.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

This  is  a  story  of  a  boy's  life  in  the  coal  mines  of  Pennsylvania. 
There  are  many  thrilling  situations,  notably  that  of  Ben  Burton's 
leap  into  the  "  lion's  mouth  " — the  yawning  shute  in  the  breakers 
— to  escape  a  beating  at  the  hands  of  the  savage  Spilkins,  the 
overseer.  Gracie  Gordon  is  a  little  angel  in  rags,  Terence  O'Dowd 
is  a  manly,  sympathetic  lad,  and  Enoch  Evans,  the  miner-poet,  is 
a  big-hearted,  honest  fellow,  a  true  friend  to  all  whose  bur- 
dens seem  too  heavy  for  them  to  bear.  Ben  Burton,  the  hero,  had 
a  hard  road  to  travel,  but  by  grit  and  energy  he  advanced  step  by 
step  until  he  found  himself  called  upon  to  fill  the  position  of 
chief  engineer  of  the  Kohinoor  Coal  Company. 

A   Runaway  Brig  ;  or.  An  Accidental  Cruise.    By  James  Otis. 

12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

"  A  Runaway  Brig  "  is  a  sea  tale,  pure  and  simple,  and  that's 
■where  it  strikes  a  boy's  fancy.  The  reader  can  look  out  upon 
the  wide  shimmering  sea  as  it  flashes  back  the  sunlight,  and 
imagine  himself  afloat  with  Harry  Vandyne,  Walter  Morse,  Jim 
Libby  and  that  old  shell-back,  Bob  Brace,  on  the  brig  Bonita, 
which  lands  on  one  of  the  Bahama  keys.  Finally  three  strangers 
steal  the  craft,  leaving  the  rightful  owners  to  shift  for  themselves 
aboard  a  broken-down  tug.  The  boys  discover  a  mysterious 
document  which  enables  them  to  find  a  buried  treasure,  then  a 
storm  comes  on  and  the  tug  is  stranded.  At  last  a  yacht  comes  in 
sight  and  the  party  with  the  treasure  is  taken  off  the  lonely  key. 
The  most  exacting  youth  is  sure  to  be  fascinated  with  this  enter- 
taining story. 

Fairy  Tales  and  Stories.    By  Hans  Christian  Andersen. 

Profusely  Illustrated,  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

"  If  I  were  asked  to  select  a  child's  library  I  should  name  these  three  volumes 
'English,'  *  Celtic,'  and  'Indian  Fairy  Tales,'  with  Grimm  and  Hans  Auder* 
sea's  Fairy  Tales."— independent.  ■ 


16  A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

The  Island  Treasure ;  or,  Harry  Barrel's  Fortune.     By  Frank 

H.  Converse.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

Harry  Barrel,  an  orphan,  having  received  a  nautical  training  on 
a  school-ship,  is  bent  on  going  to  sea  with  a  boyish  acquaintance 
named  Dan  Plunket.  A  runaway  horse  changes  his  prospects. 
Harry  saves  Dr.  Gregg  from  drowning  and  the  doctor  presents  his 
preserver  with  a  bit  of  property  known  as  Gregg's  Island,  and 
makes  the  lad  sailing-master  of  his  sloop  yacht.  A  piratical  hoard 
Is  supposed  t©  be  hidden  somewhere  on  the  island.  After  much 
search  and  many  thwarted  plans,  at  last  Dan  discovers  the 
treasure  and  is  the  means  of  finding  Harry's  father.  Mr.  Con- 
verse's stories  possess  a  charm  of  their  own  which  is  appreciated 
by  lads  who  delight  in  good  healthy  tales  that  smack  of  salt 
water. 

The  Boy  Explorers :  The  Adventures  of  Two  Boys  in  Alaska. 

By  Harry  Prentice.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

Two  boys,  Raymond  and  Spencer  Manning,  travel  from  San 
Francisco  to  Alaska  to  join  their  father  in  search  of  their  uncle, 
who,  it  is  believed,  was  captured  and  detained  by  the  inhabitants 
of  a  place  called  the  "  Heart  of  Alaska."  On  their  arrival  at 
Sitka  the  boys  with  an  Indian  guide  set  off  across  the  mountains. 
The  trip  is  fraught  with  perils  that  test  the  lads'  courage  to  the 
utmost.  Reaching  the  Yukon  River  they  build  a  raft  and  float 
down  the  stream,  entering  the  Mysterious  River,  from  which  they 
barely  escape  with  their  lives,  only  to  be  captured  by  natives  of 
the  Heart  of  Alaska.  All  through  their  exciting  adventures  the 
lads  demonstrate  what  can  be  accomplished  by  pluck  and  resolu- 
tion, and  their  experience  makes  one  of  the  most  interesting  tales 
ever  written. 

The  Treasure  Finders  :  A  Boy's  Adventures  in  Nicaragua.     By 

James  Otis.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

Roy  and  Dean  Coloney,  with  their  guide  Tongla,  leave  their 
father's  indigo  plantation  to  visit  the  wonderful  ruins  of  an  ancient 
city.  The  boys  eagerly  explore  the  dismantled  temples  of  an  ex- 
tinct race  and  discover  three  golden  images  cunningly  hidden 
away.  They  escape  with  the  greatest  difficulty;  by  taking  advan- 
tage of  a  festive  gathering  they  seize  a  canoe  and  fly  down  the 
river.  Eventually  they  reach  safety  with  their  golden  prizes. 
Mr.  Otis  is  the  princ-e  of  story  tellers,  for  he  handles  his  material 
with  consummate  skill.  We  doubt  if  he  has  ever  written  a  more 
entertaining  story  than  "  The  Treasure  Finders." 

Household  Fairy  Tales.     By  the  Buothers  Grimm.     Profusely 

Illustrated,  12iuo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

"  As  a  collection  of  fairy  tales  to  delight  children  of  all  &gefi  thia  work 
ranks  second  to  none."— 2)at7y  Graphic. 


A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS.  17 

<--         — — — ■ — ^ — > 

Dan  the  Newsboy.     By  Horatio  Alger,  Jr.     12mo,  clotli, 

price  $1.00. 

The  reader  is  introduced  to  DanMordaunt  and  Lis  mother  living 
in  a  poor  tenement,  and  the  lad  is  pluckily  trying  to  make  ends 
meet  by  selling  papers  in  the  streets  of  New  York.  A  little 
heiress  of  six  years  is  confided  to  the  care  of  the  Mordaunts.  At 
the  same  time  the  lad  obtains  a  position  in  a  wholesale  house. 
He  soon  demonstrates  how  valuable  he  is  to  the  firm  by  detecting 
the  bookkeeper  in  a  bold  attempt  to  rob  his  employers.  The 
child  is  kidnaped  and  Dan  tracks  the  child  to  the  house  where 
she  is  hidden,  and  rescues  her.  The  wealthy  aunt  of  the  little 
heiress  is  so  delighted  with  Dan's  courage  and  many  good  qualities 
that  she  adopts  him  as  her  heir,  and  the  conclusion  of  the  book 
leaves  the  hero  on  the  high  road  to  every  earthly  desire. 

Tony  the  Hero  :  A  Brave  Boy's  Adventure  with  a  Tramp.  By 
Horatio  Alger,  Jr.  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 
Tony,  a  sturdy  bright-eyed  boy  of  fourteen,  is  under  the  control 
of  Rudolph  Rugg,  a  thorough  rascal,  shiftless  and  lazy,  spending 
his  time  tramping  about  the  country.  After  much  abuse  Tony 
runs  away  and  gets  a  job  as  stable  boy  in  a  country  hotel,  Tony  is 
heir  to  a  large  estate  in  England,  and  certain  persons  find  it  nec- 
essary to  produce  proof  of  the  lad's  death.  Rudolph  for  a  con- 
sideration hunts  up  Tony  and  throws  him  down  a  deep  well.  Of 
course  Tony  escapes  from  the  fate  provided  for  him,  and  by  a 
brave  act  makes  a  rich  friend,  with  whom  he  goes  to  England, 
where  he  secures  his  rights  and  is  prosperous.  The  fact  that  Mr. 
Alger  is  the  author  of  this  entertaining  book  will  at  once  recom- 
mend it  to  all  juvenile  readers. 

A  Young  Hero;  or,  Fighting  to  Win.      By  Edward  S.  Ellis. 

12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

This  storytells  how  a  valuable  solid  silver  service  was  stolen 
from  the  Misses  Perkinpine,  two  very  old  and  simple  minded 
ladies.  Fred  Sheldon,  the  hero  of  this  story  and  a  friend  of  the 
•Id  ladies,  undertakes  to  discover  the  thieves  and  have  them  ar- 
rested. After  much  time  spent  in  detective  work,  he  succeeds  in 
discovering  the  silver  plate  and  winning  the  reward  for  its  re- 
storation. During  the  narrative  a  circus  comes  to  town  and  a 
thrilling  account  of  the  escape  of  the  lion  from  its  cage,  with  its 
recapture,  is  told  in  Mr.  Ellis'  most  fascinating  style.  Every 
boy  will  be  glad  to  read  this  delightful  book. 

The  Days  of  Bruce:  A  Story  from  Scottish  History.     By  Grace 

Agtjilar.     Illustrated,  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

"There  is  a  delightful  freshness,  sincerity  and  vivacity  about  all  of  Grace 
Aguilar's  stories  which  cannot  fail  to  win  the  interest  and  admiration  pf 
every  lover  of  good  reading."— Boston  Beacon, 


18  A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

Tom  the  Bootblack ;  or,  The  Road  to  Success.      By  Horatio 

Alger,  Jr.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

A  bright,  enterprising  lad  was  Tom  the  bootblack.  He  was 
not  at  all  ashamed  of  his  humble  calling,  though  always  on  the 
lookout  to  better  himself.  His  guardian,  old  Jacob  Morton,  died, 
leaving  him  a  small  sum  of  money  and  a  written  confession  that 
Tom,  instead  of  being  of  humble  origin,  was  the  son  and  heir  of 
a  deceased  Western  merchant,  and  had  been  defrauded  out  of  his 
just  rights  by  an  unscrupulous  uncle.  The  lad  started  for  Cin- 
cinnati to  look  up  his  heritage.  But  three  years  passed  away 
before  he  obtained  his  first  clue.  Mr.  (irey,  the  uncle,  did  not 
hesitate  to  employ  a  ruffian  to  kill  the  lad.  The  plan  failed,  and 
Gilbert  Grey,  once  Tom  the  bootblack,  came  into  a  comfortable 
fortune.     This  is  one  of  Mr.  Alger's  best  stories. 

Captured  by  Zulus  :  A  story  of  Trapping  in  Africa.     By  HabrY 

Prentice.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.C0. 

This  story  details  the  adventures  of  two  lads,  Dick  Elsworth 
and  Bob  Harvey,  in  the  wilds  of  South  Africa,  for  the  purpose  of 
obtaining  a  supply  of  zoological  curiosities.  By  stratagem  the 
Zulus  capture  Dick  and  Bob  and  take  them  to  their  principal 
kraal  or  village.  The  lads  escape  death  by  digging  their  way 
out  gf  the  prison  hut  by  night.  They  are  pursued,  and  after  a 
rough  experience  the  boys  eventually  rejoin  the  expedition  and 
take  part  in  several  wild  animal  hunts.  The  Zulus  finally  give 
up  pursuit  and  the  expedition  arrives  at  the  coast  without  further 
trouble.  Mr.  Prentice  has  a  delightful  method  of  blending  fact 
with  fiction.  He  tells  exactly  how  wild-beast  collectors  secure 
specimens  on  their  native  stamping  grounds,  and  these  descrip- 
tions make  very  entertaining  reading. 

Tom  the   Ready;  or.  Up  from  the  Lowest.      By  Randolph 

Hill.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

This  is  a  dramatic  narrative  of  the  unaided  rise  of  a  fearleas, 
ambitious  boy  from  the  lowest  round  of  fortune's  ladder — the 
gate  of  the  poorhouse — to  wealth  and  the  governorship  of  his 
native  State.  Thomas  Seacomb  begins  life  with  a  purpose.  While 
yet  a  schoolboy  he  conceives  and  presents  to  the  world  the  germ 
of  the  Overland  Express  Co.  At  the  very  outset  of  his  career 
jealousy  and  craft  seek  to  blast  his  promising  future.  Later  he 
sets  out  to  obtain  a  charter  for  a  railroad  line  in  connection  with 
the  express  business.  Now  he  realizes  what  it  is  to  match  him- 
self against  capital.  Yet  he  wins  and  the  railroad  is  built.  Only 
an  uncommon  nature  like  Tom's  could  successfully  oppose  such  a 
combine.  How  he  manages  to  win  the  battle  is  told  by  Mr.  Hill 
in  a  masterful  way  that  thrills  the  reader  and  holds  his  attention 
and  sympathy  to  the  end. 


A.  L.  BURf 'S  PUBLICATIONS.  19 

Roy  Gilbert's  Search:  A  Tale  of  the  Great  Lakes.     By  Wm.  P. 

CiiiPMAN.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $L00. 

A  deep  mystery  hangrs  over  the  parentage  of  Roy  Gilbert 
He  arranges  with  two  schoolmates  to  make  a  tour  of  the 
Great  Lakes  on  a  steam  launch.  The  three  boys  leave  Erie  on 
the  launch  and  visit  many  points  of  interest  on  the  lakes.  Soon 
afterward  the  lad  is  conspicuous  in  the  rescue  of  an  elderly  gentle^ 
man  and  a  lady  from  a  sinking  yacht.  Later  on  the  cruise  of  the 
launch  is  brought  to  a  disastrous  termination  and  the  boys  nar- 
rowly escape  with  their  lives.  The  hero  is  a  manly,  self-reliant 
boy,  whose  adventures  will  be  followed  with  interest. 

The  Young  Scout;  The  Story  of  a  West  Point  Lieutenant.     By 
Edward  S.  Ellis.     13mo,  cloth,  price  $L00. 

The  crafty  Apache  chief  Geronimo  but  a  few  years  ago  was  the 
most  terrible  scourge  of  the  southwest  border.  1'he  author  has 
woven, in  a  tale  of  thrilling  interest,  all  the  incidents  of  Geronimo's 
last  raid.  The  hero  is  Lieutenant  James  Decker,  a  recent  graduate 
of  West  Point.  Ambitious  to  distinguish  himself  so  as  to  win 
well-deserved  promotion,  the  young  man  takes  many  a  desperate 
chance  against  the  enemy  and  on  more  than  one  occasion  nar- 
rowly escapes  with  his  life.  The  story  naturally  abounds  in 
thrilling  situations,  and  being  historically  correct,  it  is  reasonable 
to  believe  it  will  find  great  favor  with  the  boys.  In  our  opinion 
Mr.  Ellis  is  the  best  writer  of  Indian  stories  now  before  the 
public. 

Adrift  in   the  Wilds  :     The  Adventures  of  Two   Shipwrecked 
Boys.     By  Edward  S.  Ellis.     12mo,  cloth,  price,  $L00. 

Elwood  Brandon  and  Howard  Lawrence,  cousins  and  school- 
mates, accompanied  by  a  lively  Irishman  called  O'Rooney,  are  en 
route  for  San  Francisco.  Off  the  coast  of  California  the  steamer 
takes  fire.  The  two  boys  and  their  companion  reach  the  shore 
with  several  of  the  passengers.  While  O'Rooney  and  the  lads 
are  absent  inspecting  the  neighborhood  O'Rooney  has  an  excit- 
ing experience  and  young  Brandon  becomes  separated  from  his 
party.  He  is  captured  by  hostile  Indians,  but  is  rescued  by  an 
Indian  whom  the  lads  had  assisted.  This  is  a  very  entertaining 
narrative  of  Southern  California  in  the  days  immediately  preced- 
ing the  construction  of  the  Pacific  railroads.  Mr.  Ellis  seems  to 
be  particularly  happy  in  this  line  of  fiction,  and  the  present  story 
is  fully  as  entertaining  as  anything  he  has  ever  written. 

The  Red  Fairy  Book.     Edited  by  Andrew  Lang.     Profusely 

Illustrated,  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

"  A  gift-book  that  will  charm  any  child,  and  all  older  folk  who  have  been 
fortunate  enough  to  retain  their  taste  for  the  old  nursery  stories.''— Literary 
World. 


20  A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

The  Boy  Cruisers ;  or,  Paddling  in  Florida.      By  St.  George 

Ratiiborne.     12mo,  cloth,  price,  $1.00. 

Boys  who  like  an  admixture  of  sport  and  adventure  will  find 
this  book  just  to  their  taste.  We  promise  them  tkat  they  will 
not  go  to  sleep  over  the  rattling  experiences  of  Andrew  George 
and  Roland  Carter,  who  start  on  a  canoe  trip  along  the  Gulf 
coast,  from  Key  West  to  Tampa,  Florida.  Their  first  adventure 
is  with  a  pair  of  rascals  who  steal  their  boats.  Next  they  run 
into  a  gale  in  the  Gulf  and  have  a  lively  experience  while  it  lasts. 
After  that  they  have  a  lively  time  with  alligators  and  divers 
varieties  of  the  finny  tribe.  Andrew  gets  into  trouble  with  a 
band  of  Seminole  Indians  and  gets  away  without  having  his 
scalp  raised.  After  this  there  is  no  lack  of  fun  till  they 
reach  their  destination.  That  Mr.  Rathborne  knows  just  how  to 
interest  the  boys  is  apparent  at  a  glance,  and  lads  who  are  in 
search  of  a  rare  treat  will  do  well  to  read  this  entertaining  story. 

Guy  Harris :    The  Runaway.     By  Harry  Castlemon.     12mo, 

cloth,  price  $1.00. 

Guy  Harris  lived  in  a  small  city  on  the  shore  of  one  of  the 
Great  Lakes.  His  head  became  filled  with  quixotic  notions  of 
going  West  to  hunt  grizzlies,  in  fact,  Indians.  He  is  ])er- 
suaded  to  go  to  sea,  and  gets  a  glimpse  of  the  rough  side  of  life 
in  a  sailor's  i  oarding  house.  He  ships  on  a  vessel  and  for  five 
months  leads  a  hard  life.  He  deserts  his  ship  at  San  Franci-sco 
and  starts  out  to  become  a  backwoodsman,  but  rough  experiences 
soon  cure  him  of  all  desire  to  be  a  hunter.  At  St.  Louis  he  be- 
couies  a  clerk  and  for  a  time  he  yields  to  the  temi)tations  of  a 
great  city.  The  book  will  not  only  interest  boys  generally  on 
account  of  its  graphic  style,  but  will  put  many  facts  before  their 
eyes  in  a  new  light.  This  is  one  of  Castlemou's  most  attractive 
stories. 

The  Train  Boy.     By  Horatio  Alger,  Jr.     12mo,  cloth,  price 

$1.00. 

Paul  Palmer  was  a  wide-awake  boy  of  sixteen  who  supported 
his  mother  and  sister  by  selling  books  and  papers  on  one  of  the 
trains  running  between  Chicago  and  Milwaukee.  He  detects  a 
young  man  named  Luke  Denton  in  the  act  of  picking  the  pocket 
of  a  young  lady,  and  also  incurs  the  enmity  of  his  brother  Ste- 
phen, a  worthless  follow.  Luke  and  Stephen  plot  to  ruin  Paul, 
but  their  plans  are  frustrated.  In  a  railway  accident  many  pas- 
sengers are  killed,  but  Paul  is  fortunate  enough  to  assist  a  Chicago 
merchant,  who  out  of  gratitude  takes  him  into  his  employ.  Paul 
is  sent  to  manage  a  tnine  in  Custer  City  and  executes  his  com- 
mission with  tact  and  judgment  and  is  well  started  on  the  road 
to  business  prominence.  This  is  one  of  Mr.  Alger's  most  attrac- 
tive stories  and  is  sure  to  please  all  readera 


A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS.  21 

Joe's  Luck  :  A  Boy's  Adventures  in  California.  By  Horatio 
Alger,  Jr.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

Without  a  doubt  Joe  Mason  was  a  lucky  boy,  but  he  deserved 
the  golden  chances  that  fell  to  his  lot,  for  he  had  the  pluck  and 
ambition  to  push  himself  to  the  front.  Joe  had  but  one  dollar  in 
the  world  when  he  stood  despondently  on  the  California  Mail 
Steamship  Co.'s  dock  in  New  York  watching  the  preparations  in- 
( ident  to  the  departure  of  the  steamer.  The  same  dollar  was 
still  Joe's  entire  capital  when  he  landed  in  the  bustling  town  of 
tents  and  one-story  cabins — the  San  Francisco  of  '51,  and  inside 
of  the  week  the  boy  was  proprietor  of  a  small  restaurant  «arning  a 
comfortable  profit.  The  story  is  chock  full  of  stirring  incidents, 
while  the  amusing  situations  are  furnished  by  Joshua  Bickford, 
from  Pumpkin  Hollow,  and  the  fellow  who  modestly  styles  him- 
self the  *' Rip-tail  Roarer,  from  Pike  Co.,  Missouri."  Mr.  Alger 
never  writes  a  poor  book,  and  "Joe's  Luck"  is  certainly  one  of 
his  best. 

Three  Bright  Girls  :  A  Story  of  Chance  and  Mischance.  By 
Annie  E.  Armstrong.  With  full  page  Illustrations  by  W. 
Parkinson.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

By  a  sudden  turn  of  fortune's  wheel  the  three  heroines  of  this 
story  are  brought  down  from  a  household  of  lavish  comfort  to 
meet  the  incessant  cares  and  worries  of  those  who  have  to  eke  out 
a  very  limited  income.  And  the  charm  of  the  story  lies  in  the 
cheery  helpfulness  of  spirit  developed  in  the  girls  by  their  changed 
circumstances;  while  the  author  finds  a  pleasant  ending  to  all 
their  happy  makeshifts. 

"  The  story  is  charmingly  told,  and  the  book  can  be  warmly  recommended 
as  a  present  for  girls.'"— Standard. 

Giannetta :  A  Girl's  Story  of  Herself.  By  RosA  Mulholland. 
With  full- page  Illustrations  by  Lockhart  Bogle.  12mo, 
cloth,  price  $1.00. 

The  daughter  of  a  gentleman,  who  had  married  a  poor  Swiss 
girl,  was  stolen  as  an  infant  by  some  of  her  mother's  relatives. 
The  child  having  died,  they  afterward  for  the  sake  of  gain  sub- 
stitute another  child  for  it,  and  the  changeling,  after  becoming 
a  clever  modeler  of  clay  images,  is  suddenly  transferred  to  the 
position  of  a  rich  heiress.  She  develops  into  a  good  and  accom- 
plished woman,  and  though  the  imposture  of  her  early  friends  is 
finally  discovered,  she  has  gained  too  much  love  and  devotion  to 
be  really  a  sufferer  by  the  surrender  of  her  estates. 

"  Extremely  well  told  and  full  of  interest.  Giannetta  is  a  true  heroine— 
warm-heartea,  self-sacrificing^,  and,  as  all  ^ood  women  nowadays  are,  largely 
touched  with  enthusiasm  of  humanity.  The  illustrations  are  unusually  good. 
One  of  the  most  attractive  gift  books  of  the  season."— T/ie  Academy. 


A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 


Margery  Merton's  Girlhood.  By  Alice  Corkran.  With  full- 
page  Illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne.  12uio,  clotb,  price 
$1.00. 

The  experiences  of  an  orphan  girl  who  in  infancy  is  left  by  her 
father — an  officer  in  India — to  the  care  of  an  elderly  aunt  residing 
near  Paris.  The  accounts  of  the  various  persons  who  have  an 
after  influence  on  the  story,  the  school  companions  of  Margery, 
the  sisters  of  the  Conventual  College  of  Art,  the  professor,  and 
the  peasantry  of  Fontainebleau,  are  singularly  vivid.  There  is  a 
subtle  attraction  about  the  book  which  will  make  it  a  great  favorite 
with  thoughtful  girls. 

"  Another  book  for  ^irls  we  can  warmly  commend.  There  is  a  delightfu\ 
piouancy  in  the  expenences  and  trials  of  a  young  English  girl  who  studies 
painting  in  Paris."— Saiwrday  Review. 

Under  False  Colors:  A  Story  from  Two  Girls'  Lives.  Bjr 
Sarah  Doudney.  With  full-page  Illustrations  by  G.  G.  Kil- 
BURNE.     12mo.  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

A  story  which  has  in  it  so  strong  a  dramatic  element  that  it 
will  attract  readers  of  all  ages  and  of  either  sex.  The  incidents 
of  the  plot,  arising  from  the  thoughtless  indulgence  of  a  decep- 
tive freak,  are  exceedingly  natural,  and  the  keen  interest  of  the 
narrative  is  sustained  from  beginning  to  end. 

"Sarah  Doudney  has  no  superior  as  a  writer  of  high-toned  stories— pure 
In  st^le,  original  in  conception,  and  with  skillfully  wrought  out  plots;  but 
•we  have  seen  nothing  equal  in  dramatic  energy  to  this  hook.''''— Christian 
.Leader. 

Down  the  Snow  Stairs ;  or,  From  Good-night  to  Good-morning. 

By  Alice  Corkran.    With  Illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne. 

12mo,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

This  is  a  remarkable  story:  full  of  vivid  fancy  and  quaint 
originality.  In  its  most  fantastic  imaginings  it  carries  with  it  a 
sense  of  reality,  and  derives  a  singular  attraction  from  that  com- 
bination of  simplicity,  originality,  and  subtle  humor,  which  is  so 
much  appreciated  by  lively  and  thoughtful  children.  Children 
of  a  larger  growth  will  also  be  deeply  interested  in  Kitty's  strange 
journey,  and  her  wonderful  experiences. 

"Among  all  the  Christmas  volumes  which  the  year  has  brought  to  our 
table  this  one  stands  out  facile  princeps—&  gem  of  the  first  water,  bearing 
upon  every  one  of  its  pages  the  signet  mark  of  genius.  .  .  .  All  is  told 
with  such  simplicity  and  perfect  naturalness  that  the  dream  appears  to  be  a 
Bolid  reality.    It  is  mdeed  a  Little  Pilgrim's  Progress."— C/ins^iau  Leader. 

The  Tapestry   Room:  A  Child's  Romance.     By  Mrs.  Moles- 
worth.     Illustrated  by  Walter  Crane.     12mo,  cloth,  price 
75  cents. 
"Mrs.  Molesworth  is  a  charming  painter  of  the  nature  and  ways  of  children: 

and  she  has  done  good  service  in  giving  us  this  charming  juvenile  which  wiU 

<l©Ught  the  young  people.''''— Athencenm,  London. 


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